Preparing for his first season with the New York Giants and his 14th in the NFL, starting quarterback Russell Wilson is enthused about the team’s daily improvement in all facets of the game at this week’s minicamp.
Wilson, who signed a one-year, $10.5 million contract in April with the potential to earn an additional $10 million in incentives, listed inside linebacker Bobby Okereke, defensive lineman Dexter Lawrence and outside linebacker Brian Burns, along with center John Michael Schmitz, guard Greg Van Roten and wide receivers Darius Slayton and Wan’Dale Robinson, among the group of players who have stood out.
“I just think that we’re just on this constant growth of trajectory and we’ve got to stay there,” Wilson said. “I think that we’ve grown so much every day. The team, the team, the team, the team. I think we just have gotten better and better every day.
“Offense, defense, special teams. I think our camaraderie has been amazing. It’s always cool … and it’s fun to be able to see guys who are young, staying extra, doing the extra necessary things.”
Wilson, who went 6-5 as a starter in 2024 during his lone season with the Pittsburgh Steelers, also lauded the Giants’ coaching staff and the joy he has felt since joining the organization.
“I think if I had to describe it, just the joy to be able to do what I love to do, number one — and number two, to do it with the people that you really want to be around,” the 10-time Pro Bowl selection said.
“I think the coaching staff is tremendous. I think their ability to teach every day — I think what makes a great coach is the ability to teach, to be able to teach young guys, to be able to teach veterans to be able to constantly learn. I think being on that constant quest for knowledge is such a necessary thing and that’s the part that I love the most.”
As for the offense, Wilson praised head coach Brian Daboll and offensive coordinator Mike Kafka for the work they’ve put in this spring after New York’s offense ranked 30th in total yards (294.8) and 31st in points (16.1 ppg) last season.
Wilson was brought in this season after the quartet of Daniel Jones, Drew Lock, Tommy DeVito and Tim Boyle combined for just 15 touchdown passes along with 13 interceptions. The team’s 77.8 passer-efficiency rating ranked last in the NFC.
“I think that we’ve been stacking great days and just seeing guys really shine is a really cool thing,” Wilson said of the offense. … “Like I said, teaching and when you put it on, you get to do the walkthroughs and do the film and all the notes and all the things you do to try to be great and then you take it out to the field, that’s what you want to see. That’s what you want to feel. And I think that we’re definitely feeling that.”
The Giants drafted quarterback Jaxson Dart with the No. 25 pick in the first round, but the starting job is Wilson’s entering the summer. The team brought in veteran Jameis Winston to serve as a backup and DeVito remains on the roster to provide more depth.
“I think you’re always just trying to prove yourself right,” said Wilson, who has 350 touchdown passes in 13 seasons with the Seattle Seahawks (2012-21), Denver Broncos (2022-23) and Steelers. “I know what I’m capable of every day. I never lack confidence.”
–Field Level Media
