Latest news with #RussellWilson
Yahoo
8 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Ex Pittsburgh Steelers QB Russell Wilson Defends Departed Star Wideout George Pickens
Ex Pittsburgh Steelers QB Russell Wilson Defends Departed Star Wideout George Pickens originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Pittsburgh Steelers have cut ties with two of their biggest offensive tools from last season. Advertisement Quarterback Russell Wilson was not offered a new contract after playing last season on a one-year deal, and George Pickens was traded away to the Dallas Cowboys. Wilson's time in Pittsburgh was up and down. He posted 2,482 yards with 16 touchdowns and five interceptions across 11 starts, but posted a 6-5 record after starting his season with six straight wins. Wilson took over for Justin Fields in the Week 7 win over the New York Jets. Wilson's top target last year was George Pickens, whose time in Pittsburgh wasn't just up and down; it was downright contentious. Now that they're both gone, Wilson spoke out about his feelings on Pickens and their time together in the Steel City. Advertisement "I love George," Wilson said this week on Carmelo Anthony's '7PM in Brooklyn' podcast. "His ability to catch the football is one of a kind. Anything in his vicinity, he's [going to] catch it. On a serious note, he's misunderstood. He wants to be great, you know? I think, also, his ability, where he can take it from not just being great, to being one of the world's best, I think he has that in him." Pickens had moments of brilliance on the field but also displayed childish tantrums. He had to be restrained on the sidelines more than once due to altercations with fans, and he drew numerous fines throughout his tenure. The Steelers saw all this as enough to move him and let him become the Cowboys' problem. Pickens seems happy in his new hometown, though. Advertisement "This game is just as much a business as it is football. It's kinda like out of my control," Pickens said. "I'm glad to be here in Dallas and able to continue the winning culture that they have." "Winning culture?" Ok, George. We'll take your word for it. Related: Ex Seahawks WR Disrespects 'Overrated' DK Metcalf Related: Steelers Continue Roster Changes with UDFA Cut This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on May 31, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
9 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
The signing of Russell Wilson, and then the first-round trade-up for Jaxson Dart to eventually replace him, figures as the centerpiece issue for the Giants season.
The signing of Russell Wilson, and then the first-round trade-up for Jaxson Dart to eventually replace him, figures as the centerpiece issue for the Giants season. originally appeared on Athlon Sports. On the one hand, the New York Giants in 2025 simply have to get better than they were a year ago ... because it would be so difficult to be worse. Advertisement On the other hand, GM Joe Schoen really only made one major change to the Giants offensive lineup ... and if it doesn't turn out to be good enough? Joe Schoen might not be the Giants GM after this year. The signing of Russell Wilson, and then the first-round trade-up for Jaxson Dart to eventually replace him, figures as the centerpiece issue for the season. Yes, on the other side of the ball, the Giants added a blue-chip prospect in Abdul Carter, two quality starters in the secondary, and third-round tackle Darius Alexander. But it will be impossible to ignore the failed commitment to Daniel Jones ... and the moves that now make it seem like the offensive issues were all his fault. Advertisement After all, New York will likely return 10 starters on offense, exchanging only at that one - very important - position. So ... Schoen is gambling that the bulk of the offense's problems fell on Jones' shoulders ... and that Wilson will fix all of that. There is, frankly, plenty of room for this offense to fall short of even modest expectations. Indeed, that's why some observers are already mapping out the "when'' of the Dart takeover. And on that note, we will add this: When a team starts a rookie QB, a GM often is able to go to ownership and ask for more time on the job. After all, "We've got a rookie! We've got to develop him!'' Advertisement We're not sure Giants ownership - which entered this calendar year with a wobbly commitment to Schoen and to coach Brian Daboll - is going to fall for that. Related: Eli Manning Hilariously Roasts Peyton Over Atrocious Golf Swing Related: Giants Schedule Release: Game-By-Game Predictions This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 1, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
9 hours ago
- Lifestyle
- Yahoo
Giants Russell Wilson Becomes Mentor to Black Quarterbacks
Giants Russell Wilson Becomes Mentor to Black Quarterbacks originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Russell Wilson may be just a bridge quarterback for the New York Giants. But to young, black NFL quarterbacks he's a role model. Advertisement The Giants signed the veteran this offseason to be their starter in 2025, but maybe not 2026 and beyond. That's because they also traded up in the draft to select Ole Miss rookie Jaxson Dart, who they see as the franchise quarterback of the future. But as the 36-year-old Wilson is set to begin his 14th NFL season with a fourth different team, he takes pride in helping pave the path for younger stars such as Lamar Jackson, Kyler Murray, Justin Fields, Jayden Daniels and even rookie Shedeur Sanders. 'Whatever I can do to inspire guys, to give guys belief," Wilson said this week on Carmelo Anthony's podcast. "Whatever questions - life questions, business questions, football questions, whatever it is - I feel like others did it for me, I gotta do it for them and do it 100 times.' Only 5-foot-11 and drafted in the third round by the Seattle Seahawks, Wilson has carved out an elite career highlighted by 10 Pro Bowls and a Super Bowl. Advertisement "There's no magic pill," he said when Anthony asked him about his best advice to young quarterbacks. "You have to do the work." Wilson, who was also drafted by the Texas Rangers for his baseball prowess, recalled a conversation with Murray. He was drafted by both the NFL and MLB also. "I give him my perspective of why football first," Wilson said. "Because you can always go back to baseball, but you got to give this football thing a chance because you're short, you're black and you're young. You got to give it a chance now." Related: Will Giants' Tyrone Tracy Jr. Break Out in 2025? Related: Giants One Move Could Get GM Joe Schoen Fired This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 1, 2025, where it first appeared.
NBC Sports
12 hours ago
- Sport
- NBC Sports
Russell Wilson: I fundamentally believe it's possible to succeed at the highest level again
Russell Wilson is in his first season with the Giants, but he's no stranger to his new home stadium. MetLife Stadium was the site of Super Bowl XLVIII and Wilson led the Seahawks to a 43-8 win over the Broncos in that game. During an appearance on 7PM in Brooklyn with Carmelo Anthony, Wilson said that the chance to return to the scene of that accomplishment and the chance to help bring the Giants out of the doldrums convinced him that this was the right spot for the next chapter of his career. 'The opportunity here is so great,' Wilson said. 'I don't mind the lights. I don't mind that part of it. I think the other part of it for me, most importantly of it all that, is I've been here before. When you walk into a stadium, into a locker room and you know, like my locker is the same locker I had when I won the Super Bowl. So, for me, when I see that, when I walk into the stadium I'm like, 'I've been here before.' Not just been here but, like, we did this before. So, I fundamentally believe it's possible again in terms of being successful again and being at the highest level.' Wilson's belief that the Giants have the 'right guys' to make that happen are unlikely to find much support right now, but a strong start against a tough early schedule — at Washington and Dallas before home games against the Chiefs and Chargers — would rally some people to his side before October.
Yahoo
17 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Giants' Offensive Improvements Fall on Russell Wilson's Shoulders
Giants' Offensive Improvements Fall on Russell Wilson's Shoulders originally appeared on Athlon Sports. As the NFL transitions from the player-acquisition phase of the offseason to the ramp-up toward real action, there is time to reflect on the teams that improved the most in March and April. Advertisement Among them is undoubtedly the New York Giants, who went from disastrous to below-average under center by signing Russell Wilson. In due time, Jaxson Dart will replace him. On the other side of the ball, the Giants added a blue-chip prospect in Abdul Carter, two quality starters in the secondary, and third-round tackle Darius Alexander. On paper, this team is destined to win more games, even with one of the league's hardest schedules. However, there is plenty of room for this offense to fall short of expectations. Wilson is an easy upgrade at quarterback, but his limitations are real and, often, debilitating. He can struggle in the quick game, prefers to avoid the middle of the field, and can try and make plays his athleticism can no longer pull off. That isn't the end of the world, but New York didn't do him any favors, either. The Giants' offseason strategy will reveal the truth about general manager Joe Schoen's evaluation of his offense. Advertisement New York will return 10 starters on offense, exchanging only at its most important position. Schoen is gambling that the entirety of the offense's problems fell on Daniel Jones' shoulder. His confidence isn't necessarily valid. Running back Tyrone Tracy Jr. was promising as a rookie, but even the addition of Cam Skattebo fails to make it an above-average backfield. Receiver Malik Nabers is a star, although Darius Slayton and Wan'Dale Robinson are adequate (and limited) starters. Tight end and center project to be holes, and neither guard spot possesses much upside. A year ago, the Giants' offensive line was fine until Andrew Thomas got hurt. Can that unit survive another Thomas injury? Can Wilson? New York made a handful of quality moves to make its defense one of the league's best. But there are still plenty of paths to this offense falling flat, which doesn't serve Wilson, Dart, or Schoen well in a pivotal season. Advertisement Related: Giants Schedule Release: Game-By-Game Predictions Related: Giants Schedule Reveals Potential Dart Debuts This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on May 30, 2025, where it first appeared.
