Grading Russell Wilson, Giants deal: How New York makes out in QB contract
The New York Giants entered the 2025 NFL offseason needing a new starting quarterback. They presumably found one in Russell Wilson.
The Giants inked a one-year deal with Wilson on Tuesday. The addition marks New York's second free-agent quarterback addition in five days, as the Giants also inked a two-year pact with Jameis Winston on Friday, March 21.
Wilson, 36, is a 10-time Pro Bowler but is set to play for his fourth different team in five years during the 2025 NFL season. Will he provide the Giants with enough of an upgrade at quarterback, or will he continue to be merely a serviceable starter at this point in his career?
Here's a breakdown of the Wilson signing and how he will fit with the Giants.
Russell Wilson contract details
Wilson inked a one-year pact with the Giants. Below are the terms of the deal, per ESPN's Adam Schefter:
- Term: 1 year
- Total value: $21 million
- Guaranteed money: $10.5 million
Wilson's new contract puts him among the NFL's middle class of quarterbacks. His average annual value (AAV) of $21 million ranks 20th league-wide, one spot behind Geno Smith ($25 million) and one spot ahead of Justin Fields ($20 million).
Grading the Russell Wilson signing
Wilson may not be the quarterback he was during his heyday with the Seattle Seahawks, but there's still little doubt that he's better than what the Giants had at the position last season.
The Giants had four players take snaps at quarterback in 2024: Daniel Jones, Drew Lock, Tommy DeVito and Tim Boyle. They posted a combined 3-14 record and a 75.87 passer rating.
Comparatively, Wilson posted a 6-5 record in 11 regular-season starts for the Pittsburgh Steelers. His 95.6 passer rating ranked 14th-best in the NFL among qualified passers and he graded as Pro Football Focus' 15th-best quarterback for the 2024 season among 42 qualifiers.
Critics of Wilson will note that he tapered off after a hot start to the season. He lost his final five starts, including a 28-14 playoff loss to the Baltimore Ravens, which left a bitter taste in the mouth of Steelers fans hoping to win a postseason game for the first time since 2016.
That said, short of signing Aaron Rodgers – who has been increasingly tied to the Steelers – there wasn't a more proven quarterback available than Wilson. Giants head coach Brian Daboll and general manager Joe Schoen were desperate to land a player who could be a solid starter with both on the hot seat. Wilson can still be capable, and the Giants are taking minimal risk by signing him to a one-year deal.
Inking Wilson also gives the Giants flexibility with the No. 3 overall pick. Many presumed the team would select quarterback Shedeur Sanders there if they couldn't land a top free-agent quarterback. With Wilson in tow, the team can be more selective and potentially target Travis Hunter or Abdul Carter if they aren't sold on Sanders being a franchise quarterback.
Nobody will mistake the Giants for contenders after signing Wilson, but he at least gives them an upgrade and some flexibility at a reasonable price. New York fans certainly won't complain too much about that.
Grade: B
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Russell Wilson contract grade: Giants earn solid mark for QB deal
Topics
-
New York Giants not completely out of QB market after Russell Wilson addition
The New York Giants are no longer in the mix for Aaron Rodgers but are likely to still add a QB in the 2025 NFL draft after signing Russell Wilson.Yahoo Sports - 1h -
New York Giants sign veteran QB Russell Wilson to 1-year deal
The New York Giants have signed quarterback Russell Wilson to a one-year contract, according to multiple reports.NBC News - 15h -
Giants signing Russell Wilson: Ex-Steelers QB gets one-year deal to reportedly be the starting QB in New York
New York's quarterback room now has both Wilson and Jameis WinstonCBS Sports - 14h -
New York Giants signing QB Russell Wilson, per reports
Russell Wilson led the Steelers to a 6-5 record in 11 starts during the 2024 season. He will be taking his talents to the Giants in 2025.Yahoo Sports - 15h -
Giants to sign free agent quarterback Russell Wilson: report
The New York Giants and NFL free agent quarterback Russell Wilson have agreed terms on a one-year deal worth up to $21 million, including $10.5 million guaranteed, ESPN reported on Tuesday.Wilson, ...Yahoo Sports - 14h -
Russell Wilson reaches one-year deal with New York Giants – source
NFC East team sign 36-year-old to one-year contract Lowly Giants have No 3 pick in next month’s NFL draft Russell Wilson has agreed on a one-year contract with the New York Giants, a person with ...The Guardian - 14h -
New York Giants to sign free agent quarterback Russell Wilson
The New York Giants are signing Super Bowl-winning free agent quarterback Russell Wilson to their roster, league sources tell CNN.Yahoo Sports - 2h -
Russell Wilson 'ready to sign' if New York Giants come calling
Free agent QB Russell Wilson is reportedly ready and willing to sign with the New York Giants if they come calling.Yahoo Sports - Mar. 17 -
Russell Wilson signing shouldn't change Giants' quest for franchise QB
The Giants have signed Russell Wilson to lead their QB room but that shouldn't deter GM Joe Schoen from finding the quarterback of the future.Yahoo Sports - 13h
More from Yahoo Sports
-
Fantasy Baseball: Priority waiver wire pickups to make ahead of Opening Day
If you're wrapped up with your fantasy baseball draft but still find your lineup lacking, Andy Behrens is here to help.Yahoo Sports - 12m -
Snead and Mcvay excited for the new look Adams brings to the Rams
Les Snead was showing high praise for new Ram Davante Adams recently on the Pat Mcafee showYahoo Sports - 14m -
2025 NBA Draft scouting report: Alex Karaban, F, Connecticut
Karaban projects as a deep-range sniper, though his shot fell off this past year with UConn.Yahoo Sports - 15m -
NFL draft: Browns schedule top 30 visit with Texas Football WR Isaiah Bond
The Browns are showing significant interest in Texas Football WR Isaiah Bond, scheduling their second NFL draft visit with the playmakerYahoo Sports - 16m -
Andy Farrell reveals ‘75-man’ longlist for Lions tour and Irish core in coaching team
Lions head coach Andy Farrell has turned to three of his assistants from the Irish set-up – Simon Easterby, Andrew Goodman and John Fogarty – to form the spine of his coaching team for the tour to ...Yahoo Sports - 16m
More in Sports
-
Sources: QB Wilson, Giants agree to 1-year deal
The Giants and free agent QB Russell Wilson reached agreement on a one-year deal worth up to $21 million, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter. The deal eliminates New York as a potential option this ...ESPN - 7m -
Sources: Diggs, Pats agree on 3-year, $69M deal
Stefon Diggs and the New England Patriots reached an agreement on a three-year, $69 million deal that includes $26 million guaranteed.ESPN - 7m -
Lillard out indefinitely due to blood clot in calf
Bucks guard Damian Lillard has been diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis in his right calf and is out indefinitely.ESPN - 7m -
Sources: Pitino set to leave Lobos for Xavier job
Xavier is expected to hire New Mexico's Richard Pitino as its next head coach, sources told ESPN on Tuesday night.ESPN - 7m -
Ovechkin scores No. 889, now 6 from NHL record
Alex Ovechkin scored the 889th goal of his career to move six goals away from breaking Wayne Gretzky's NHL record as he helped the Capitals to a point before the Jets rallied in overtime to secure ...ESPN - 7m