Giants Add Another QB, Sign Russell Wilson

After striking out on Matthew Stafford and (apparently) Aaron Rodgers this offseason, the New York Giants appear to be going with the “throw everything against the wall and see what sticks” strategy at quarterback, signing Jameis Winston last week and following that up by agreeing to terms with veteran Russell Wilson on a one-year deal Tuesday.

Per ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Wilson’s deal is worth up to $21 million, with $10.5 million guaranteed. Wilson made the Pro Bowl last year, his lone season in Pittsburgh. He took over from Justin Fields in Week 7 and went 6-5 as the starter with 16 touchdowns against 5 interceptions, leading the team to a league-high four fourth-quarter comebacks. It was an improvement over Wilson’s two years in Denver, but still a definite step down from his heyday in Seattle.

With the job opening dwindling around the league, Wilson didn’t have the luxury of being choosy, so he lands with a Giants team that until last week only had Tommy DeVito under contract among quarterbacks. He’s an interesting strategy paired with Winston — Jameis certainly offers a higher big-play ceiling than Wilson at this point, but his propensity for turnovers means he has a much lower floor. It’s just about a toss-up which of the two wins the starting gig in Week 1, if either — the Giants still own the third overall pick in next month’s NFL Draft, so they could still add a startable quarterback that way as well.

For now, though, it’s worth proceeding as though this is the team’s quarterback room. And while it is 50/50 who wins the job, for fantasy, we absolutely want Winston to get the gig. Wilson at this point doesn’t offer enough with his arm or his legs to be a sure fantasy starter, more of a low-ceiling QB2 (he averaged 16.2 fantasy points per game last year, which would have been QB15 numbers over a full season).

Meanwhile, Winston’s explosive play ability means he’ll have more to offer for fantasy, both as a quarterback and as an enabler of his weapons, primarily 2024 rookie Malik Nabers. He also will turn the ball over a lot, so the Giants and head coach Brian Daboll might decide it’s not worth the headaches and go with Wilson. But for fantasy, the hope is that Winston gets the job.

Winston got a two-year deal, compared to Wilson’s one year, but then Wilson got $10.5 million guaranteed and Winston got $8 million over the two years. Right now, best guess is that Wilson is the starter out of the gate (unless the team drafts someone), but it’s close enough that this is a situation to monitor closely through the offseason.

Jeff Ratcliffe’s Take

Giants Sign Russell Wilson: Bridge Quarterback or Placeholder for Shedeur Sanders?

The Giants signed Russell Wilson to a one-year deal worth up to $21 million. The headline number grabs attention, but let’s focus on what matters: just $10.5 million is guaranteed. That’s low-end starter money, the kind you pay someone to keep the seat warm — not necessarily win games. For context, Jameis Winston is also on the roster, signed for two years at $8 million total. That’s backup money. We know it. They know it.

So what does this all mean?

Wilson could simply be a bridge option. The Giants may be setting up for 2026 — and yes, the “Suck for Arch Manning” campaign could already be in motion. Next year’s QB class is significantly stronger, and the Giants could simply be angling in that direction. However, reports from Adam Schefter suggest the Giants remain very much in play to take Shedeur Sanders at No. 3.

Let’s play that scenario out. Wilson’s $10.5 million guarantees he’ll be on the roster, but Winston’s $4 million — reportedly fully guaranteed — doesn’t lock him in. If cut, the Giants would get a credit against Winston’s salary if he signs elsewhere, even at the league minimum. Don’t pencil him in just yet.

If Shedeur Sanders is drafted, Wilson likely opens the season as the starter. But unless he plays the best football we’ve seen from him in years — and leads this team into playoff contention — the calls to insert Sanders will be loud and relentless. This is New York. Patience runs thin. The media pressure will be enormous.

Now, for fantasy purposes — Russell Wilson is nothing more than a back-end QB2. If the Giants don’t draft Sanders, sure, you could talk yourself into Wilson as a matchup-based streamer. He has weapons in Malik Nabers, Wan’Dale Robinson and Darius Slayton But if they do draft Sanders? It’s only a matter of time before the rookie takes over. If the Giants get out to a slow start, that change could take place as early as October.

As for Nabers, no panic necessary. If anything, this move is good for him. Wilson still has the arm to get the ball out and keep the offense functional. Plus, his decision making is vastly superior to that of Winston. Yes, Winston throws the ball a ton, but he’s proven over and over that’s he’s a complete liability as the starter.

Bottom line: the Giants signed a starter, but this story is far from finished. Whether it’s Russell Wilson, Shedeur Sanders or someone else entirely, New York is clearly still figuring out its future under center.