Chris Manhertz details Giants’ Russell Wilson-led workouts: ‘It feels different’ in 2025

After signing a one-year deal with the New York Giants, Russell Wilson is chasing history.

The 36-year-old has already proven he can perform on the highest stage. He’s a Super Bowl champion and would have a second ring on his finger if it weren’t for Malcolm Butler’s infamous interception in Super Bowl XLIX.

The 10-time Pro Bowler is one of the most accomplished quarterbacks of this generation, but his career is on life support. He flamed out in Denver and cemented his status as a bridge quarterback in Pittsburgh, so New York is one of the last opportunities he will have in his career as a starter. 

From now on, he can either prove he’s still got it, or remain a journeyman until he retires. Either way, he will dictate how the Giants fare not just in 2025 but beyond.

This means the Wisconsin and NC State product needs to take advantage of the opportunity, as he is within striking distance of reaching the milestone of 50,000 career passing yards. Per NFL Spin Zone, he is also third in career passing yards among all active passers behind Aaron Rodgers and Matthew Stafford.

Only 13 quarterbacks in NFL history have ever reached 50,000 passing yards, and that group includes names like Brady, Brees, Manning, Marino, and Rodgers.  So if he joins that elite company, it’ll all but cement his place in Canton.

Wilson enters the 2024 season with 46,135 career passing yards– just 3,865 yards shy of the mark. If he stays healthy and starts the entire year, this number should be well within reach.

But starting all 17 games is far from a given.

Quarterback competition is putting Wilson’s aspirations in jeopardy

His pursuit comes with a roadblock in the form of 2025 No. 25 pick Jaxson Dart.

The rookie out of Ole Miss is already generating buzz and we aren’t even in minicamp. What was expected to be a clear runway for Wilson to start now feels far less certain. Dart impressed during spring workouts, and his blend of mobility and arm talent has coaches intrigued.

It is clear that the Giants’ long-term vision does not include Wilson. With a young roster in place and a newly drafted quarterback in-house, every snap Wilson takes could be seen as delaying Dart’s development. If the Giants start slow, the pressure to hand the reins to the rookie will only grow louder.

Especially with Brian Daboll and Joe Schoen’s jobs on the line. Fans will be calling to see what the All-SEC passer is capable of against NFL defenses.

And the Cincinnati-born signal-caller is known for flaming out late in the season. The Steelers lost five straight games to conclude 2024, and Wilson’s passer rating fell below 100 in four of those contests. And this doesn’t account for the concerning offensive line he would be playing behind in the Big Apple.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter recently said he expects the Giants to be patient with the 22-year-old, but not everyone around the league is convinced.

Big Blue is balancing the weight of a legend’s legacy with the promise of a new era. Now Dart is applying pressure on Wilson to put up or shut up– which could dictate his shot at a career-defining milestone.