The Pittsburgh Steelers’ 2024 starting quarterback duo, Russell Wilson and Justin Fields, are not off to a very strong start to the 2025 season with the New York Giants and New York Jets.
Entering Week 4, Wilson and Fields are a combined 0-5 in games they started. And their teams are a combined 0-6 overall.
On top of that, Wilson could be benched for Giants first-round pick Jaxson Dart or veteran Jameis Winston as soon as this week, according to members of the NYG beat.
“Brian Daboll again non-committal on whether Russell Wilson will start Sunday vs. [Los Angeles] Chargers,” ESPN NYG beat reporter Jordan Raanan posted on September 22. “They’re ‘going through the tape right now and will evaluate everything,’ [head coach Brian Daboll] said. The Giants are evaluating every position.”
Later, Raanan clarified that the Giants head coach “left the door to make a QB change.”
“Bizarre press conference,” Raanan added. “When asked if Jaxson Dart had already reached all the checkpoints, [Daboll replied:] ‘Well we put him in the game the last two weeks. So we wouldn’t put anyone in the game we don’t feel confident with.’”
After witnessing the same press conference exchange, SNY’s Connor Hughes also weighed in.
“Brian Daboll is not an idiot when it comes to the media,” Hughes wrote. “He understands what being non-committal on Monday does. If Russ was 100% going to start against the Chargers he would have said it (like he did after Week 1). Dart becomes a non-story. Answering things like this creates stories, headlines, etc. This makes a QB change seem very possible.”
The Athletic’s Dan Duggan agreed, reacting: “So after listening to Daboll’s entire presser, they have to be making a QB change and he’s just not ready to announce it.”
It would seem Wilson’s benching is imminent.
Giants Fans & Media Have Seen Enough of Former Steelers QB Russell Wilson, Want Jaxson Dart to Start in Week 4
On top of Daboll hinting that a QB change could be coming, Giants fans and select media members were calling for Dart after a rough Week 3 outing versus the Kansas City Chiefs. Sound familiar?
Wilson was unable to move the ball against the Chiefs defense on Sunday Night Football, finishing with just 160 passing yards and 2 interceptions. Before long, boos started raining down on the former Super Bowl champion at MetLife Stadium.
“I think there’s highs and lows, there’s always tough moments,” the eternally optimistic Wilson told reporters after Week 3. “You’ve got to have thick skin, you’ve got to be able to know who you are and the player that you are, know what you’re capable of. I’ve been able to show that throughout my career and obviously last week and everything else too.”
Unfortunately for Wilson, he may not get another chance to save his starting job in New York. Pat Leonard of the New York Daily News wrote an entire article urging the Giants to bench Wilson on September 22, publishing it a few hours before Daboll’s comments.
More importantly, the fanbase and coaching staff may have turned on him, too. It’s unclear if Wilson would request a trade if the Giants elect to move on from him as their starter.
Jets Noncommittal on Starting Justin Fields in Week 4
Fields may not start in Week 4 either, but for different reasons. The dual threat quarterback missed Week 3 due to a concussion, and Jets head coach Aaron Glenn was noncommittal on him making a return while addressing the media on September 22.
“Well, we will talk about that today as a staff,” Glenn told reporters. “We will make sure that we come up with the right answer for that. So, I know what you’re trying to ask, alright, but we will make sure that we talk about that as a staff first and foremost.”
“Justin came in as our starter and he has been our starter,” the Jets HC added later. “Listen, Tyrod [Taylor] was a backup. So, I want to make sure that I know exactly where Justin is at [in his recovery]. I don’t want to say anything until I know Justin is cleared.”
It appears Fields is still holding onto his starting gig, for now, assuming health. However, neither of the former Steelers signal-callers seem to have a long leash.