The New York Giants reportedly didn’t assure quarterback Russell Wilson that he would be the starter in 2024 if they signed him during a free-agent meeting last week.
According to Jeff Howe of The Athletic, the Giants “didn’t make any promises about playing time,” and Wilson ultimately chose to sign with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
After being one of the biggest surprises in the NFL in 2022 when they went 9-7-1 and reached the playoffs for the first time since 2016, the Giants fell off in a significant way last season.
New York finished 6-11, and a big reason why was the poor play from and injuries suffered by quarterback Daniel Jones.
Following a breakout season in 2022, Jones had the worst year of his career in 2023. He was limited to six games and struggled mightily even when he played, going 1-5 and completing 67.5 percent of his passes for 909 yards, two touchdowns and six interceptions.
Despite his poor play, the G-Men are essentially locked into having Jones on the roster this season due to his $47.1 million salary cap hit after signing a four-year, $160 million contract extension last offseason.
By not promising Wilson the starting job, it seems as though the Giants want to at least give Jones a chance to start in 2024 as well with Howe noting that Jones is the “expected” starter.
Jones won’t be without competition, though, as the Giants signed former Denver Broncos and Seattle Seahawks quarterback Drew Lock in free agency. Also, SNY’s Connor Hughes reported Friday that league sources believe New York is targeting Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy in the first round of the 2024 NFL draft.
As for the 35-year-old Wilson, he landed on his feet following his release after two seasons in Denver.
Since the Broncos are required to pay him $38 million after cutting him, Wilson took a huge discount to sign with the Steelers, inking a one-year, $1.21 million deal.
There was some thought that Wilson would have to compete with 2022 first-round pick Kenny Pickett for the starting job, but the competition ended before it started Friday with Pickett getting traded to the Philadelphia Eagles.
Now, Wilson will have a chance to start in Pittsburgh and build on a Hall of Fame résumé that already includes nine Pro Bowl selections and a Super Bowl win.
2024-03-16 15:18:48
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