Russell Wilson Forming Surprise Connection With NY Giants Player
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
The New York Giants are working their way through OTAs and preparing for a critical training camp later in the summer. This year marks the first full season of the post-Daniel Jones era in New York, and the Giants are banking on Russell Wilson being a major piece in helping them bounce back.
While only so much can be revealed in spring practices, Wilson has earned enough praise to add some excitement to his upcoming training camp with the team.
Giants wideouts Wan'Dale Robinson and Darius Slayton revealed to the media last week that Wilson's ball has been "better than expected."
"That deep ball really drops right in there... Comes in like a pillow... really easy to catch," Robinson told reporters, according to Madelyn Burke.
#Giants WR Wan'Dale Robinson says the first time Russell Wilson threw to them, he and Darius Slayton said 'this is better than we expected…' describing his style, smiles, 'That deep ball really drops right in there… comes in like a pillow… really easy to catch' pic.twitter.com/xDL7IbmWj9 — Madelyn Burke (@MadelynBurke) June 5, 2025
Slayton and Robinson will be critical to the Giants' passing attack, as will the second-year star, Malik Nabers. However, another player has reportedly formed a decent connection with Wilson throughout OTAs.
According to Giants.com's John Schmeelk, the 2023 third-round pick Jalin Hyatt is establishing himself as an early standout so far this offseason.
"Jalin Hyatt seems to be finding an early connection with Russell Wilson," Schmeelk wrote in his Monday observations.
"It is worth watching as the Giants figure out which wide receivers make the most sense on the field with the way the offense is going to be developed with Wilson behind center. If it is going to be more of a vertical attack, Hyatt could be ideal in that type of system."
Russell Wilson #3 of the Pittsburgh Steelers reacts as he stretches prior to an NFL Football game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on December 21, 2024 in Baltimore, Maryland.
Russell Wilson #3 of the Pittsburgh Steelers reacts as he stretches prior to an NFL Football game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on December 21, 2024 in Baltimore, Maryland.During his rookie season, Hyatt appeared in 17 games. He received 40 targets throughout the year, catching 23 of those passes for a total of 373 yards. He didn't reach the endzone at all.
Last season, Hyatt's playing time was down. After appearing in over 50 percent of the Giants' offensive snaps during his rookie year, Hyatt played just 33 percent of the team's snaps last year. Naturally, Hyatt's production took a dip. He generated just 19 targets, which resulted in eight catches for 62 yards.
The Giants' receiving core needs stability in 2025. Considering Wilson's experience, it's clear the Giants are confident that the former Pittsburgh Steelers passer could be a major difference-maker on offense, despite the fact that he's likely a one-year rental.
In 11 games with the Steelers, Wilson completed 64 percent of his passes. He threw for 16 touchdowns and just five interceptions. The narrative surrounding Wilson suggests he's a long way from his Seattle Seahawks days, where he stood out as a multi-time Pro Bowler and an NFL Champion, but the Giants believe there is still enough gas left in the tank for the 36-year-old to have an impact.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
USA Today
34 minutes ago
- USA Today
One year out from 2026 FIFA World Cup, NJ ready to be 'soccer central worldwide'
One year out from 2026 FIFA World Cup, NJ ready to be 'soccer central worldwide' 3-minute read Show Caption Hide Caption Phil Murphy talks 2026 FIFA World Cup at NJ budget address During his 2026 New Jersey budget address, Gov. Phil Murphy discussed the upcoming FIFA World Cup plans. It's official. The 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off at East Rutherford's MetLife Stadium in one year. To celebrate the last 365 days of preparation, Gov. Phil Murphy and the regional host committee, including CEO Alex Lasry and board chair Tammy Murphy, were at Liberty State Park in Jersey City Wednesday morning to outline the FIFA Fan Festival experience set to take place next summer. Joined by fan favorites like Mr. and Mrs. Met, Giants legend Victor Cruz and representatives from most of the region's professional sports teams, a mini festival complete with food trucks and activities for kids was set up to show, on a small scale, what is coming in 2026. With lower Manhattan and the Statue of Liberty serving as a backdrop, the park will be the premier fan festival during all 40 days of next summer's global event. More than 100 matches, including the ones scheduled to be played at MetLife will be broadcast live for fans to enjoy along with entertainment presented by LiveNation, food and other cultural exhibits that represent the Garden State and our neighbors across the Hudson River. What did NJ officials say? Gov. Phil Murphy said that between this year's Club World Cup and the 2026 World Cup, the region will be 'soccer central worldwide, globally, for the next 15 months' and said there is a commitment to the legacy of the sport. 'MLS was born out of the 1996 World Cup. I can only imagine what will be born out of this World Cup and most importantly in the communities in the region on both sides of the Hudson,' he said. Lasry said Liberty State Park will serve as the 'central gathering place for fans from across the world' and explained it will be the largest and most visible fan festival of the tournament. Officials expect tens of thousands of fans to attend the festival during each of its 39 days and have partnered with LiveNation and DPS to produce the programming which will include concerts on rest days. Among those fans will be 'all six Murphys,' according to first lady Tammy Murphy. More: What has NJ spent — so far, at least — to fund the 2026 FIFA World Cup? 2025 FIFA Club World Cup gives NJ a preview of 2026 Fans get a little taste of the global soccer experience starting this weekend at MetLife when the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup kicks off. This year's tournament features club teams — professional teams from leagues around the world — as opposed to national teams that will compete in the 2026 World Cup. It's unclear whether the immigration and border security initiatives of the Trump administration will affect the tournaments. Among the teams to already qualify is Iran, which is one of the countries included in Trump's latest full travel ban. President Donald Trump did attend the Club World Cup draw in December and said he "will try to be" at the tournament. He has hosted FIFA President Gianni Infantino at his Mar-a-Lago Club and the White House. Infantino also attended Trump's second inauguration. Murphy said Wednesday that his understanding is that there will be exceptions for big sporting events and this is the 'biggest in the world.' He went on to say there is a 'long road to travel' between now and when the tournament starts but that all of the teams that qualify will be able to play. When asked about concerns tourists may have about the presence of ICE and comments made by Vice President J.D. Vance about visitors, Murphy said he 'can't speak' for them but is 'hugely optimistic this is going to be a blowout success and a safe World Cup.' 'Based on all the vibrations I hear… this is going to be done in a first class welcoming way,' he said. Lasry said the host committee's 'concern and goal' is that everyone that comes to the tournament has an incredible time. Katie Sobko covers the New Jersey Statehouse. Email: sobko@
Associated Press
an hour ago
- Associated Press
It didn't take DK Metcalf long to show the Steelers what they're getting in their new wide receiver
PITTSBURGH (AP) — The scene looked familiar. Maybe that's because it was. A defender racing downfield, ball in hand. DK Metcalf in relentless — and remarkably fast — pursuit. Five years ago, it was Metcalf memorably tracking down Arizona's Budda Baker 90 yards from the line of scrimmage to prevent a touchdown, a play that would be in the NFL GIF Hall of Fame, if such a thing existed (give it time, it might). On Tuesday, in Metcalf's first official practice with the Pittsburgh Steelers after being acquired in a trade with the Seahawks in March, he nearly caught new teammate Minkah Fitzpatrick as Fitzpatrick dashed toward the end zone with a turnover. This time, the whistle blew before Metcalf's white No. 4 jersey reached Fitzpatrick's No. 39. Nobody was robbed of a score. Nobody was mic'ed up. And no video evidence of the sequence will ever reach the internet. Still, the max effort from a two-time Pro Bowler during a time of year coach Mike Tomlin describes as 'football lite' was noticeable. 'I mean, that's just football,' Metcalf said with a shrug on Wednesday. 'If you see a turnover, I'm not just going to walk and let him return the ball. Like I'm going to go get his (butt).' It's the way Metcalf is wired, one of the many reasons the Steelers made the aggressive move to swing a deal for the 27-year-old, then immediately sign him to a massive extension. While Pittsburgh has a knack for finding talented wide receivers in the draft — from Antonio Brown to Martavis Bryant to JuJu Smith-Schuster to Diontae Johnson to George Pickens — the one thing it has struggled with is finding a pass catcher who can be a difference-maker on the field without being a headline-maker off it. Metcalf will have the chance to check that box and perhaps rewrite the narrative that surrounds his career in the process. He spent six seasons with the Seahawks as an imposing (6-foot-4) and dynamic downfield threat who also happens to be a willing blocker. The fire that runs through him, however, would sometimes singe teammates and coaches in Seattle, while also occasionally drawing attention from officials. Metcalf's challenge in Pittsburgh will be channeling things properly on a team that is in flux at quarterback. Yes, Aaron Rodgers — who famously met up with Metcalf in California during the offseason for a throwing session not long after Metcalf was acquired by Pittsburgh — will have the ball this season. What happens after that, however, is uncertain. Metcalf is committed to the long haul, and that includes providing leadership to a room that is largely lacking outside of 12-year veteran Robert Woods, signed in May. While Metcalf is still in the 'getting to know you' stage in Pittsburgh, he understands the standing that his resume and his contract command. 'I'm more of a lead by example-type guy,' he said. 'I'm not a big rah-rah guy or walk up to you and say something to you on the spot (guy).' He would rather pull someone off to the side for a quick chat rather than 'blast' them in front of the whole team. That might be a step in the right direction for a group that's spent the past few years trying to weather Pickens' petulant behavior. Pittsburgh opted to move on, shipping the talented but mercurial 24-year-old to Dallas last month. While it might feel like addition by subtraction in a locker room that was over his antics, on the field, it also could create a void. Metcalf, however, cautioned against the idea that the unit can't be productive. He pledged to be an 'open book' to Calvin Austin III and Roman Wilson, both of whom Metcalf called 'special.' 'I'm going to be asking them questions as well and how they see the game,' he said. 'So just piggybacking off of what they do and just bouncing ideas off each other.' He also plans to continue to bounce things off Rodgers, whose quick release combined with Metcalf's innate ability to beat defenders off the line of scrimmage could create the kind of opportunities that didn't come enough last season, when Metcalf only turned 35 of his 66 receptions into first downs, a career low. Rodgers and Metcalf have quickly hit it off and even spent some of their downtime together challenging each other by playing a trivia game. Metcalf called Rodgers 'a fun person' and believes there's an opportunity for both of them to turn the chemistry they're building into something special come late fall. 'Hopefully,' he said, 'we can put a product on the field that you know can last a lifetime.' ___ AP NFL:
Newsweek
an hour ago
- Newsweek
NFL Trade Idea Lands Aaron Rodgers a Disgruntled Commander
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Since last week, it became clear the Washington Commanders aren't on the greatest of terms with their star wide receiver, Terry McLaurin. Heading into the final season of his current contract, McLaurin wants a new deal before he gets going for the 2025 NFL season. The Commanders fired up OTAs in the spring, and McLaurin made a silent statement by not being around the team. Since the sessions were voluntary, McLaurin's absence didn't hold that much weight. The same can't be said about McLaurin's decision not to show up for this week's set of offseason practices. Right now, there's a bit of a standstill going on. As a result, there's at least some level of doubt surrounding McLaurin's future with the Commanders. Without a new contract in place for the veteran wideout, Bleacher Report's Kristopher Knox kicked around a trade idea that would gift the Pittsburgh Steelers and their new quarterback, Aaron Rodgers, the disgruntled star pass-catcher. In the hypothetical deal, the Commanders would acquire a 2026 first-round pick from the Steelers and a 2027 fifth-round pick, which would come from the Dallas Cowboys. Aaron Rodgers #8 of the Pittsburgh Steelers in action during Minicamp at UPMC Rooney Sports Complex on June 10, 2025 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Aaron Rodgers #8 of the Pittsburgh Steelers in action during Minicamp at UPMC Rooney Sports Complex on June 10, 2025 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Justin K. Aller/Getty Images "If the Steelers were ever going to go all-in on a season, this is the one," Knox wrote. "...Though Rodgers had a largely forgettable season with the Jets in 2024, he was coming back from a torn Achilles. In theory, the 41-year-old will be an upgrade over last year's duo of Fields and Russell Wilson. If the Steelers hope to make a legitimate run at a Super Bowl with Rodgers, however, they should look for all of the receiver help they can get. McLaurin, who is a pristine route-runner who can attack all areas of the field, would complement Rodgers well." Acquiring McLaurin certainly wouldn't come cheap for Pittsburgh. However, if they want to maximize the gamble of bringing on Aaron Rodgers, who could end up being a one-year rental, McLaurin could bring a lot of value to the field. Last season, McLaurin appeared in 17 games for the Commanders. He formed a solid connection with Washington's first-round rookie, Jayden Daniels. The veteran wideout caught 82 passes for 1,096 yards and scored 13 touchdowns. McLaurin added a second Pro Bowl nod to his resume and became an All-Pro for the first time in his career. While picking up McLaurin in this scenario would be a move to stack up weapons for the 41-year-old Rodgers to try and win right away, the Steelers would get an opportunity to secure a proven star receiver for years to come. So far, the Commanders haven't reached a point of no return with McLaurin. Comments from Jayden Daniels and the head coach, Dan Quinn, suggest that everybody but McLaurin's reps and the Washington front office are on the same page. McLaurin might be a holdout right now, but the Commanders seem confident that the situation will get resolved soon.
