Russell Wilson is officially joining the New York Giants. The team has agreed to a one-year, $21 million contract with the 35-year-old quarterback. Out of that total, $10.5 million is guaranteed. This is Wilson’s second offseason move in two years, following his one-season stop with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Wilson’s signing comes after a difficult year for the Giants, who finished the 2024 NFL season with a 3–14 record. The team struggled at quarterback, using four different players during the season. Daniel Jones started ten games but was released after the team began 2–8. Drew Lock had five starts, Tommy DeVito started two games, and Tim Boyle appeared in one. The Giants re-signed DeVito on a one-year deal earlier this offseason.
In March, the Giants also signed Jameis Winston. Despite that move, many expected the team to keep looking for help from the quarterback. Now, with Wilson added to the roster, New York has two veteran options heading into training camp. However, the team may still draft a quarterback. The Giants hold the No. 3 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft and have been linked to prospects like Cam Ward from Miami and Shedeur Sanders from Colorado.
Russell Wilson spent the 2024 season in Pittsburgh. He missed the first six games due to a calf injury. During that stretch, Justin Fields started for the Steelers. Wilson returned and started 11 games. He finished with 2,482 passing yards, 16 touchdowns, five interceptions, and a 63.7% completion rate. His passer rating was 95.6. Pittsburgh went 10–7 in the regular season but lost in the wild-card round to the Baltimore Ravens. They ended the year on a five-game losing streak.
Now, Wilson’s gone, the Steelers are seen as a possible landing spot for Aaron Rodgers. The Giants had earlier shown interest in Rodgers, and they also had trade talks with the Rams about Matthew Stafford. Nonetheless, Stafford stayed in Los Angeles after agreeing to a revised contract.
Meanwhile, the Giants’ offense struggled in 2024. The team ranked 30th in total yards per game (294.8), 28th in passing yards per game (189.9), 23rd in rushing yards per game (104.9), and 31st in points per game (16.1). That said, the Giants had a few standout players. Rookie wide receiver Malik Nabers set a team record with 109 catches. Wan’Dale Robinson added 93 receptions. Rookie running back Tyrone Tracy had 839 rushing yards, five touchdowns, and 284 receiving yards. Darius Slayton also re-signed earlier in the offseason to stay with the team.
The Giants have strong depth at wide receiver, but one name to watch is Jalin Hyatt. The team drafted him in 2023 with the 73rd overall pick out of Tennessee. So far, he has recorded 31 catches for 435 yards across 33 games. Hyatt was a top player in college, earning first-team All-SEC honors in 2022. With the Giants possibly drafting Travis Hunter at No. 3 overall, Hyatt might become the odd man out. The New York Jets are one possible trade destination. They have Garrett Wilson but lack depth at wide receiver, and ESPN’s Rich Cimini named Hyatt as a player to watch.
The Jets have not made big moves at wide receiver this offseason, and their new general manager, Darren Mougey, could look to the trade market. If the Giants draft another wide receiver, Hyatt could be available, especially if the Jets release veteran Allen Lazard after June 1.
The Giants have also been active on defense. In free agency, they signed cornerback Paulson Adebo and safety Jevon Holland. These additions help strengthen a secondary that had issues last season.
The Giants’ draft plans remain uncertain. In one recent mock draft, New York used the No. 3 pick on offensive tackle Armand Membou from Missouri. Membou, listed at 6-foot-4 and 332 pounds, is considered one of the top blockers in the draft. The idea behind this pick is to improve pass protection, especially if Winston or Wilson starts.
However, that same mock draft also shows the Giants trading back into the first round. In that scenario, they select quarterback Jaxson Dart from Ole Miss with the 26th pick. Dart passed for 4,279 yards and 32 touchdowns in 2024 and ran for 495 yards. He is seen as a long-term option who could develop behind veterans.
Looking around the NFC East, the Giants are not the only team making changes. The Eagles remain strong. The Cowboys are always competitive. The Commanders, led by quarterback Jayden Daniels, just reached the NFC Championship Game. They now look like real Super Bowl contenders. In this division, the Giants are still rebuilding, but they are making moves to improve.
Adding Russell Wilson is part of that plan. It does not guarantee success, but it gives the Giants a better chance at stability in 2025. With high draft picks, young talent, and veteran experience, New York is trying to fix what went wrong last season. The next few months will show whether this strategy can help the team climb out of the bottom of the standings.
