It didn’t take long for Russell Wilson to be asked about a trade after the New York Giants benched him for rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart, and the 10-time Pro Bowler already has a clear stance on being dealt.
Wilson told reporters on Wednesday, September 24, “I’m focused on helping this team win. I’m focused on helping Jaxson, I’m focused on me getting ready to be the best version of me, today on a Wednesday. I want to be here. I love this organization, I love the process of it all. I’m not giving up on us and this season,” per SNY.tv’s Giants Videos.
He doesn’t want to be traded, but it’s debatable what kind of value Wilson still has on the market after lasting just three games as Big Blue’s QB1. He has a decorated early-career CV, but recent tours with the Denver Broncos and Pittsburgh Steelers damaged Wilson’s standing and he couldn’t repair the damage with the Giants.
Despite the setbacks, the 36-year-old isn’t giving up on the idea of still making a positive impact, even if it initially means helping 2025 NFL draft first-round pick Dart.
Russell Wilson Ready for Backup Duties, But Not Giving Up
Wilson hasn’t been shy about expressing his resolve to get onto the field again, but he’s also saying some of the right things about helping Dart. The 22-year-old will need plenty of help handling the transition from QB1 in waiting to immediate starter for a winless team.
Dart’s going to need insight and professionalism from those sharing the quarterback room. He can count on those things from veteran third-stringer Jameis Winston, because the 31-year-old has ample experience in a deputy role, but it’s a different story for Wilson.
Aside from a brief stint sitting and watching Justin Fields take controls for the Steelers early last season, Wilson is used to being atop the depth chart. It’s given him a sense of confidence to assert “I’m not done. I’ve got so much belief in myself and I know what I’m capable of. I believe I was able to show it, especially on the road in Dallas. I know I can help this football team if that comes up,” per SNY.tv’s Giants Videos.
Wilson’s reminder about his 450-yard, vertical passing masterclass against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 2 was no accident. It was a calculated promotion of his enduring talent, but one core skill is not enough to salvage a Giants offense that otherwise stalled on his watch and needs the spark Dart might provide.
Giants Counting on More Daring QB Play from Jaxson Dart
A big reason behind Wilson’s undoing was his increasingly jaded decision-making. The issue showed up in clutch situations at the business end of the field, like when Wilson refused to take chances in the red zone against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 3.
Several throwaways later, the Giants were empty-handed, leaving Dan Duggan of The Athletic to comment “the grounding and not giving a receiver a chance on fourth down is inexcusable.”
Those mistakes were on Wilson, but Duggan’s additional note about “not seeing very inspired play designs” is no less significant. It highlights problems with the playbook, with the scheme called by head coach Brian Daboll and offensive coordinator Mike Kafka.
Daboll didn’t do enough to help his quarterback, so now he’s left clinging to hope Dart’s raw athleticism and multi-faceted skill-set can do more with less.
If the rookie can’t handle the burden, Wilson plans to still be waiting to retake the reins.