Benched By Giants, Is This Russell Wilson’s Final Stand? ‘He’s a Backup.’

The inevitable finish to Russell Wilson’s tenure because the New York Giants’ beginning quarterback lastly occurred on Tuesday. Wilson will reportedly be benched in favor of rookie Jaxson Dart after a forgettable efficiency in a 22-9 loss to the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs in Week 3. 

At one level early in his 10-year stint with the Seattle Seahawks, Wilson appeared on a Corridor of Fame trajectory. Nevertheless, he was benched for a second time in three years and is on his fourth crew in 5 seasons. 

As Wilson turns 37 on the finish of November, it is clear the solar is setting on his NFL profession. 

“He’s a backup,” one former teammate of Wilson’s advised me. 

“Our crew was so good on protection and particular groups, together with a run sport to put on down the opposite crew,” one other former teammate of Wilson’s advised me. “All he needed to do is simply don’t flip the ball over. I do assume he’s nonetheless phenomenal within the two-minute drill, although.”  

Wilson’s arguably one of the achieved quarterbacks in league historical past, rating fifteenth all-time in passing yards, twelfth in passing touchdowns and fifth in passer score. Nevertheless, for the reason that 10-time Professional Bowler left Seattle in a blockbuster commerce to the Denver Broncos throughout the 2022 offseason, Wilson’s profession has been on a downward trajectory. 

Wilson has averaged 224 passing yards per sport to go along with 61 landing passes, 27 interceptions, a 91.1 passer score, 20 dashing yards per sport and eight dashing touchdowns since he is left Seattle. Most significantly, Wilson has a 17-27 document as a beginning quarterback between his stops with the Broncos, Steelers and Giants, reaching the playoffs as soon as. These numbers are all down from his days in Seattle (234.6 passing yards per sport, 292 passing touchdowns, 87 interceptions, 101.5 passer score, 104-53 document), the place he helped the Seahawks win 4 division titles and helped them turn into a perennial contender. 

So, is it time for Wilson to retire? The response was blended, based on sources I spoke with across the league.

“He in all probability isn’t executed as a lot as persons are executed giving him an opportunity to be their starter,” one league supply advised me.

One other individual puzzled how a lot Wilson would embrace the position of a backup in New York behind Dart. 

“Thought he was executed years in the past,” a nationwide NFL scout advised me. “He can solely be in an offense that takes benefit of his diminishing strengths. Cell, undersized quarterbacks don’t age nicely within the NFL.

“His ego gained’t let him be a mentor-type backup both. Dart is a rising younger and proficient quarterback, so the state of affairs suits the choice.” 

One other NFL personnel govt believes a market might develop for Wilson by way of commerce, however it might require endurance from the Giants. Wilson signed a one-year, $10.5 million contract this offseason to function the bridge quarterback till Dart was able to play. The Giants even have Jameis Winston on the roster as a possible backup to Dart in the event that they transfer on from Wilson.

“I’m positive the Giants would like to commerce the contract and would do it for nothing,” the personnel govt advised me. “I believe New Orleans, Cincinnati or wait for one more damage (is smart). No rush on New York’s half.

“I guess they maintain him at backup for a couple of weeks till they see what the market is and wish to maintain him as engaged as they’ll.” 

The Giants are dealing with a few of the high defenses within the league over the subsequent 4 video games as they go up towards the Chargers, Saints, Eagles and Broncos. Due to that, the personnel puzzled if beginning Dart now was the suitable time to place the rookie within the hearth.

“It might be a nightmare state of affairs for New York,” the personnel govt stated. “They’d hope with the rookie, along with his preseason flashes, however that is actual soccer now. If this goes unhealthy for them, it might get actually ugly.” 

Eric D. Williams has reported on the NFL for greater than a decade, overlaying the Los Angeles Rams for Sports activities Illustrated, the Los Angeles Chargers for ESPN and the Seattle Seahawks for the Tacoma Information Tribune. Observe him on X at @eric_d_williams.

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