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Russell Wilson went from New York Giants starting quarterback to third string just a few weeks into the 2025 season, leaving many to question whether the 10-time Pro Bowler will decide to play next season.
Wilson, 37, doesn’t sound like he’s mulling over his decision. He will play in 2026.
“I’m not blinking,” Wilson told SNY. “I know that [what] I am able to. I think I showed that in Dallas and I want to be able to do that again, you know, and just be ready to rock and roll, and be as healthy as possible and be ready to play ball.”
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New York Giants’ Russell Wilson tries to escape a sack by Dallas Cowboys defensive end James Houston (53) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 14, 2025, in Arlington, Texas. (Julio Cortez/AP Photo)
Wilson signed a one-year, veteran-minimum deal with the Giants this past offseason worth $10.5 million, which had tons of incentives should he play the entire season.
That same offseason, the Giants traded back into the first round to select Jaxson Dart out of Ole Miss, and he showed during training camp that he has NFL-ready chops under center.
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Still, then-head coach Brian Daboll was steadfast in his decision to start Wilson despite Dart’s success. But after just three games, in which the Giants went 0-3, a change was made.
Daboll went with Dart in Week 4 against the Los Angeles Chargers at home, and the rookie defeated Justin Herbert and company to not only get his first career win, but also cement himself as the team’s starter moving forward.
Even then, Wilson remained positive, said in post-practice interviews that he understands the team’s direction and wanted to help Dart develop and grow in his new role.
New York Giants’ Russell Wilson, left, and Jaxson Dart, right, talk on the bench during the first half of an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys, Sunday, Sept. 14, 2025, in Arlington, Texas. (Julio Cortez/AP Photo)
In his three starts for the Giants, Wilson threw for 831 yards with three touchdowns to three interceptions, though all of those touchdowns came in a Week 2 overtime heartbreaker for New York. Over half of Wilson’s passing yards came in that game as well, throwing for 450 in the 40–37 loss.
Wilson also said he tore his hamstring during that game against the Cowboys.
“I played that game, you know, I tore my hamstring last Friday in practice — the last practice game. And I had a grade 2 (tear). I couldn’t tell anybody. I had to go and play on it, just because I knew the circumstances, I had to play on it no matter what,” Wilson explained.
“I actually ended up going to the Dallas Mavericks’ facility and working out. And you know, just keeping it quiet, just trying to get treatment on it and just knowing that I probably couldn’t run from the goal line to the 10-yard line if I wanted to, but I feel like… I have to play this game.”
New York Giants quarterback Russell Wilson (3) scans the field at the line against the New York Jets in the first half at MetLife Stadium. (Rich Barnes/Imagn Images)
It will be interesting to see if Wilson lands anywhere, and even better, if a team is willing to try him as a starter again.
