Conflicting Russell Wilson Buzz Could Spark a Wild Summer

Newsweek

12 hours ago

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No one has ever denied there are certain perks that come along with being QB1 of the New York Giants. Russell Wilson is learning that first-hand. If he delivers some wins, he'll only become more popular, but in the meantime, however, he's blowing off some steam.
He may as well. Once training camp begins, the pressure cooker is turned up higher, but by the looks of things, the veteran isn't showing the signs we'd expect from a man who has been given up on by two franchises in three seasons.
(Photo byfor YouTube Music)
(Photo byfor YouTube Music)
Photo byfor YouTube Music
In a tad over four months, we have seen Russell Wilson courtside at a New York Knicks game. He's been seen at the most recent Met Gala, Fanatics Fest, and a Vanity Fair Oscar party. He's certainly having the time of his life.
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Good for him! It's the offseason. Guys can't pump iron or workout with their receivers every waking moment of every day, right? They just better be ready when the rookies report to Giants training camp on July 15 and the veterans report on July 22.
All eyes will be on Wilson. That's the price of playing in the Big Apple and for winning a Super Bowl and blowing another... No, we haven't forgotten about any of that.
So, what's to be expected? That will be an intriguing discussion for the rest of the summer as trusted voices are already on opposite sides of the expectation spectrum.
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Varying theories surround Giants QB1 Russell Wilson
"What Russell Wilson brings to the Giants is something they haven't had since Eli Manning." Those are the words of Dan Salomone, senior managing editor of Giants.com, as he quoted general manager Joe Schoen.
NFL Network mainstay Ian Rapoport offers a slightly different theory. He mentioned, during a recent episode of The Insiders that it isn't a matter of 'if' Jaxson Dart will replace him. It's simply a matter of 'when'.
From The Insiders on @NFLNetwork: #Giants QB Jaxson Dart has impressed early, and it's not hard to see coach Brian Daboll is a believer. pic.twitter.com/9MQz20qGTf — Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) June 17, 2025
Well, we all knew Dart was the long-term answer and Wilson was the projected starter and QB1 of the moment, correct?
Wilson has had a great career, but the clock is ticking. Despite earning another Pro Bowl nod last season, his tenth, he wasn't at his best down the stretch for the Pittsburgh Steelers, and he appears to be living off of reputation now more than anything.
Dart turned 22 years old this past May. He's been given the 'golden-child' treatment, but he isn't the perfect candidate for a starting role in Big Blue either. Daboll has raved about him at every turn, but there are questions about how he might adjust to NFL-style offenses and defenses after from Lane Kiffin's one-read offense.
Russell is interesting. Every critique is different. Some like and are pumped about New York's decision to acquire him. Others would be more inclined to agree with Rapoport, also adding that Dart's time will arrive sooner than expected.
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It's hard to disagree with the latter contingent. That's especially true when you consider the warm seat Giants head coach Brian Daboll is sitting on and the one-year, $10.5 million contract 'DangeRuss' signed in March. If things go haywire, look for the youngster to get some early snaps if it is ever deemed New York's season is on life support or over.
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