The New York Giants have found their starting quarterback for 2025. According to multiple reports, including ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Giants have signed Russell Wilson to a one-year, $10.5 million guaranteed deal, with incentives reaching up to $21 million.
ESPN Sources: The Giants and Super Bowl-winning QB Russell Wilson reached agreement today on a one-year deal worth up to $21 million, including $10.5 million guaranteed. The 10-time Pro-Bowl selection had been in discussions with the Giants, Browns and Steelers, but is opting for… pic.twitter.com/ZjjOz0U7bl
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 25, 2025
It’s a significant relief for general manager Joe Schoen and head coach Brian Daboll to secure an established signal-caller under center. The Giants reportedly had a contract offer extended to Aaron Rodgers but grew tired of the waiting game and pulled the trigger on Wilson instead.
New York’s quarterback room now features Wilson, Jameis Winston, and Tommy DeVito as the Giants own the No. 3 overall pick and could still select their quarterback of the future. Let’s break down the seven winners and losers following Wilson’s signing.
Seven winners/losers after New York Giants bring in Russell Wilson
Winner: Russell Wilson
The 36-year-old Wilson proved he still has gas in the tank after helping guide the Pittsburgh Steelers to the playoffs in 2024. He missed the first six games due to a calf injury, but upon his return, the Steelers won six of seven contests. The team faltered down the stretch, dropping their final five games, including a Wild Card round defeat to the Baltimore Ravens. Wilson earned his 10th Pro Bowl selection after completing 63.7% of his passes for 2,482 yards, 16 touchdowns, and just five interceptions. He parlayed that performance into $10.5 million guaranteed with incentives potentially pushing the deal to $21 million — impressive for a quarterback many had written off.
Loser: Pittsburgh Steelers
Despite making the playoffs last year, the Steelers allowed both of their starting quarterbacks — Wilson and Justin Fields — to depart in free agency. Now, it’s Rodgers or bust for Pittsburgh. That’s a precarious position, hinging on a 41-year-old quarterback coming off a 5-12 season with the struggling New York Jets. If Rodgers opts for retirement, the Steelers will be left high and dry, as Mason Rudolph and Skylar Thompson represent the only quarterbacks currently on their roster.
Winner: New York Giants
The Giants finally have a quarterback they can trust heading into 2025. After a disastrous 3-14 campaign that culminated in releasing their one-time franchise quarterback Daniel Jones, the Giants will now field a reliable veteran under center to help stabilize the ship. Whether this move preserves the jobs of Schoen and Daboll remains to be seen, but securing Wilson represents a significant step forward.
Loser: Aaron Rodgers
The Giants grew weary of the waiting game, and the Minnesota Vikings decided to stick with J.J. McCarthy. If Rodgers intends to play in 2025, his options have narrowed to either the Steelers or retirement. From the outside, Rodgers’ numbers with the Jets last season appear respectable — nearly 4,000 passing yards and 28 touchdowns. However, context matters: he accumulated the second-most pass attempts in the league while consistently playing from behind. His mobility has diminished — especially following Achilles surgery — resulting in 40 sacks in 2024 and a career-low 6.7 yards gained per pass attempt as a starter. Factor in the unnecessary drama and potential locker room division he brings, and the Giants made the prudent choice in selecting Wilson.
Winner: Malik Nabers
In his rookie season with the Giants, Malik Nabers broke the franchise record for receptions with 109, surpassing Steve Smith’s previous mark of 107. The electric wide receiver accomplished this while catching passes from a carousel of Daniel Jones, Drew Lock, Tommy DeVito, and Tim Boyle — hardly an inspiring quarterback rotation. With a competent passer now delivering the ball, expect Nabers to build upon his impressive rookie campaign that featured 1,204 receiving yards and seven touchdowns.
Loser: D.K. Metcalf
Consider D.K. Metcalf’s predicament. After thriving with the Seattle Seahawks while catching passes from Pro Bowl quarterbacks Wilson and Geno Smith, he now finds himself traded to a Steelers team where the quarterback room consists of Rudolph and Thompson. Should Rodgers choose retirement over signing with Pittsburgh, Metcalf faces the prospect of battling through an entire season with subpar quarterback play. At least he secured a five-year, $150 million contract from the Steelers as consolation.
Winner: Shedeur Sanders
If the Giants select Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders with the third overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, he won’t be immediately thrown to the wolves. With Wilson and Winston on the roster, Sanders can develop methodically without being forced to operate behind a struggling offensive line. This arrangement provides Sanders valuable time to acclimate to the NFL while learning from a future Hall of Fame quarterback in Wilson.
