By Matt Brown,Total Apex Sports

Copyright yardbarker

The debut of quarterback Russell Wilson for the New York Giants was anything but the triumphant start fans had hoped for. A discouraging 21-6 loss to the Washington Commanders in Week 1 was marked by offensive ineptitude, leaving many to question the team’s new signal-caller. However, inside the locker room, a different message is being preached—one of confidence and unity, led by veteran wide receiver and team captain Darius Slayton.

Following the game, Slayton stepped up to defend his quarterback, shutting down any notion of wavering faith. His comments serve as a crucial display of leadership and provide insight into the team’s mindset as they look to rebound from a difficult opening performance.

New York Giants WR Darius Slayton Defends Russell Wilson

As the longest-tenured offensive player and a newly minted captain, Darius Slayton’s voice carries significant weight. When reporters questioned the team’s confidence in Wilson after his rough outing, Slayton was quick and direct with his support.

“We have full confidence in him,” Slayton stated emphatically. “I think he’s shown himself throughout the time he’s been here that he’s a competent quarterback. He’s plenty equipped to do the job, and we have full faith in him.”

Slayton’s defense of Wilson is a critical act of leadership. For an offense with a new quarterback at the helm, public unity is essential to preventing external noise from creating internal division. Slayton, who was targeted only once in the game despite playing 97% of the offensive snaps, shifted the focus from the quarterback to collective accountability. He made it clear that the offensive failures were a team-wide issue, not the fault of one player.

Wilson’s Tough Start in New York

To understand the context of Slayton’s comments, it’s important to look at just how much the offense struggled in Week 1. Wilson’s stat line was bleak: he completed just 17 of his 37 pass attempts for a mere 168 yards and failed to lead a single touchdown drive. His 45.9% completion rate and 4.5 yards per attempt ranked him near the bottom of the league among starting quarterbacks.

The Giants’ offense as a whole managed only 231 total yards. The most glaring failures came in the red zone. New York had two prime opportunities deep in Washington territory, running 13 plays inside the 20-yard line and eight plays inside the 5-yard line. They came away with only two field goals, failing to punch the ball into the end zone on both occasions.

Slayton attributed these struggles to a lack of precision across the board. “A lot of things come down to individual execution on a play-by-play basis,” he explained. “We were just a little bit off on the timing, and that was literally the story with all of them.” His assessment points to correctable mistakes—penalties, missed assignments, and timing issues—that derailed drives.

What the Giants Need to Fix Moving Forward

Slayton’s comments highlight a key theme for the Giants: this is about execution, not a lack of talent or belief. To avoid an 0-2 start, especially with a tough divisional road game against the Dallas Cowboys looming, the offense needs to address several key areas immediately.

1. Improve Red-Zone Execution

The inability to score touchdowns inside the 20-yard line is unsustainable. The Giants must find a way to be more efficient when they have scoring opportunities. This involves better play-calling, improved offensive line play, and more precise route-running and timing between Wilson and his receivers. The difference between scoring six points and 14 points in those two red-zone trips was the difference in the game.

2. Build Chemistry and Timing

Wilson is new to this offense and is still building chemistry with his receivers. Slayton’s single target is an indication that the connection between the veteran quarterback and the team’s top deep threat is still a work in progress. More practice reps and in-game experience are needed to get them on the same page. As their timing improves, the offense should become more explosive and consistent.

3. Maintain Urgency and Accountability

Slayton stressed the importance of urgency heading into Week 2. “Every game is important, especially against a division opponent like we have this week,” he said. “I think the urgency is sky high and needs to stay there.” This mindset, driven by team leaders like Slayton, is crucial. The team cannot afford to let one bad performance snowball. Instead, they must focus on correcting their mistakes and holding each other accountable.

Darius Slayton’s strong defense of Russell Wilson sends a clear message: the Giants are not panicking. They understand the issues are about collective execution, not a failing quarterback. As they prepare for a critical matchup with the Cowboys, their ability to rally together and fix their mistakes will determine whether Week 1 was a stumble or a sign of deeper problems.