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NBC Sports
8 hours ago
- Sport
- NBC Sports
Russell Wilson says he signed with Giants because of Malik Nabers
Russell Wilson did not have many options in free agency. According to the 10-time Pro Bowler, though, it was the presence of wide receiver Malik Nabers that prompted Wilson to sign with the Giants. 'I came here because of him,' Wilson said during the Fanatics Fest over the weekend, via Anthony Rivardo of Empire Sports Media. 'I really wanted to play with someone who is special like him.' Wilson played with three 1,000-yard receivers in Seattle in Tyler Lockett, Doug Baldwin and DK Metcalf. Metcalf caught 83 passes for 1,303 yards for the Seahawks in 2020, Wilson's next-to-last season in Seattle. Nabers had 1,204 yards as a rookie despite missing two games and playing with three different starting quarterbacks. He proved in his first season that he will get his yards no matter who the quarterback is. The question is: Who will throw to Nabers this year? Wilson is the favorite to start the season, but it won't be a surprise if rookie Jaxson Dart takes over the starting job at some point. Wilson will have to beat out Jameis Winston and Dart in training camp, and then, if he does that, he will have pressure to win to keep the job. The Giants start the season at Washington and at Dallas before hosting the Chiefs and Chargers. It is not going to be be easy for Wilson, but it will help to have Nabers.
NBC Sports
10 hours ago
- Sport
- NBC Sports
Caleb Williams on Ben Johnson: Our goal is to be here for a while
Caleb Williams had reservations about joining the Bears as the No. 1 pick in 2024. As it turned out, he had reason. The Bears, who haven't been to the postseason since 2020, fired Matt Eberflus during the season. Things have worked out nicely for Williams since, though, with the Bears hiring former Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson to replace Eberflus. There now are high hopes in Chicago. Williams discussed his growing relationship with Johnson on Friday during the Fanatics Fest in New York, with the quarterback expecting a long, successful relationship. 'Ben Johnson is great, and it's not just Ben Johnson,' Williams said, via video from Ryan Garcia of Empire Sports Media. 'We have a young staff slash old staff, and we have a bunch of experience, bunch of new energy provided by the coaches and players. It's been awesome. Ben Johnson, he uses some choice words every day toward me. He's tough, and I love him. He's awesome. It's great being around him. 'We hang out in his office, and we just have lunch sometimes. Things like that. We're building this bond and relationship to be able to last a while. I know Bears fans, it's year after year typically, or every other year, where coaches and quarterbacks specifically are in and out, and our goal is to be here for a while.' Since 2013, the Bears have had four full-time head coaches and 15 starting quarterbacks. Williams passed for 3,541 yards with 20 touchdowns and six interceptions last season as a rookie.
