Russell Wilson isn’t going to force his way off the Giants.
One day after he was benched for the start of the Jaxson Dart Era, Wilson revealed that he is going to accept his fate as the backup quarterback rather than request a trade or a release.
“No, I’m focused on helping this team win,” Wilson said. “I want to be here. I love this organization. I love the process of it all and the guys in the locker room. I’m not giving up on us and this season.”
Head coach Brian Daboll announced that Dart will start and Wilson will be No. 2 for the rest of the season. Jameis Winston is No. 3.
“Russ was nothing but a pro,” Daboll said of Wilson’s reaction to the change.
Of course, general manager Joe Schoen could have something to say about the pecking order if he gets a trade offer for Wilson. Five teams started backup quarterbacks last week, including the Bengals, who are without Joe Burrow until December.
“I’m not done,” Wilson said. “I have so much belief in myself and know what I’m capable of. Life is sometimes a 16-round fight … and sometimes you feel like, in the moment, you are at the end of something heavy. I just believe I’m still in Round 5, Round 6.”
The Giants (0-3) spent all offseason raving about Wilson’s leadership, so it would have been startling if the team-elected co-captain asked out.
Kirk Cousins – the NFL’s highest-paid backup – asked for a trade from the Falcons after losing his job to Michael Penix Jr.
“Russ came in here and brought a different type of leadership, a different type of charisma and a different type of championship mindset,” Dexter Lawrence said. “A lot of respect for him. I just have to support the next guy up.”
Then again, the clock is ticking on opportunities for Wilson, 36, after bouncing to four teams in five years.
“Winners don’t pick and choose,” Wilson said. “Leaders don’t pick and choose when they want to lead and when they want to help communicate.”
The only other time Wilson has been in a similar situation was the final two weeks of the 2023 season when he was benched by the Broncos as a prelude to getting released, after refusing to alter the injury guarantees in his contract. He was the active No. 2 quarterback.
The Giants were in the same spot last season after benching Daniel Jones – demoting him from starter to third-stringer – to avoid the risk of paying an injury guarantee. Jones asked for and was granted his release.
Wilson’s benching now isn’t about his contract – he is owed a tradeable $1.6 million salary – but his declining performance. And Daboll’s need to pull out his last trick — Dart’s development — for saving his job.
“I think the best thing I can do is lead from the front,” Wilson said. “For me, right now, it’s really about the team and about helping Jaxson. I just told him, ‘I’ve got your back.’”
Wilson’s benching came just nine days after a 450-yard, three-touchdown performance in a loss to the Cowboys.
“I’m not surprised by anything anymore,” the 10-time Pro Bowler said.
The Giants totaled 15 points in their two other losses. Wilson is 4-of-18 passing in the red zone.
“A few plays here and there, the season is a little bit different,” Wilson said. “I’m not discouraged about our team and I’m not discouraged about myself.”