PALM BEACH, Fla. -- Former Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson will likely be the starter for the New York Giants, general manager Joe Schoen hinted on Tuesday. He will take first team reps in OTAs, giving him the pole position within the organization after signing a one-year deal that could be worth up to $21 million.
Head coach Brian Daboll noted that Wilson has a great deep ball, and he really liked that part of his game with the wide receivers the Giants have on their roster.
“He makes good decisions with the football,” Daboll said, via the team’s website. “He’s athletic. He’s a little bit older, so maybe not as athletic as ‘13, ‘14, but certainly has ability to use his legs, extend plays, great explosive plays, phenomenal deep ball thrower. Has created a bunch of explosive plays and scoring points for his team and does a good job making good decisions with the football the games that he’s played.”
A rookie could throw a wrench in plans for Wilson, especially if the Giants land Cam Ward. However, Jameis Winston and Wilson are currently set to battle it out, and Wilson should have the edge in that one.
Wilson said in his introductory press conference last week that he is preparing to start and expects to be the starter.
"Yeah, I expect to be the starter and come in here and be ready to rock and roll every day,” Wilson said.
Wilson’s play tailed off sharply toward the end of the season. On top of that, a report dropped in January that offensive coordinator Arthur Smith took away Wilson’s ability to work at he line of scrimmage. That could have irked people in the organization.
Regardless, he is now gone, and the Steelers are still searching for their 2025 quarterback, though the pursuit of Aaron Rodgers remains ongoing.
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