{"id":237563,"date":"2025-06-23T14:45:05","date_gmt":"2025-06-23T18:45:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/?p=237563"},"modified":"2025-06-23T12:14:54","modified_gmt":"2025-06-23T16:14:54","slug":"what-the-giants-offense-could-look-with-russell-wilson","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2025\/06\/23\/what-the-giants-offense-could-look-with-russell-wilson\/","title":{"rendered":"What the Giants Offense Could Look with Russell Wilson"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">The <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/category\/nfl-teams\/giants\/\" target=\"_self\">New York Giants<\/a> signed quarterback Russell Wilson to a one-year deal this <a href=\"https:\/\/www.si.com\/nfl\/giants\/big-blue-plus\/ny-giants-among-offseason-winners-after-roster-overhaul\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">offseason<\/a>. Despite the team trading into the first round for <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2025\/05\/30\/the-best-matchups-for-jaxson-darts-debut\/\" target=\"_self\">Jaxson Dart<\/a>, Wilson is going to be the <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">team\u2019s<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> indefinite starter. He took all the first-team reps during the spring portion of the offseason, <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">and<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> all indications are that Dart will stay on the bench for most of 2025. Although Wilson is past his prime and his athleticism is dwindling, he offers valuable experience as a 10-time Pro-Bowler and one of the <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">league\u2019s<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> best deep passers. <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Here\u2019s<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> what the <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Giants<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> offense could look like in 2025 with <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/?s=russell+wilson\" target=\"_self\">Russell Wilson<\/a> at the helm.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2>What the Giants Offense Could Look with Russell Wilson<\/h2>\n<h3><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">What Russell Wilson Still Does Well<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Wilson is no longer a <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">true<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> running <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">threat,<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> but still mobile enough to escape pressure occasionally and extend plays. Rather than the quick one-read throws <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Giants\u2019<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> fans <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">are used<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> to, expect Daboll to scheme longer-developing plays to stretch the field to balance out the running game. Wilson is willing to hold the ball and let routes develop, which can lead to explosive plays <\/span><em><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">or<\/span><\/em><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> drive-killing sacks.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Wilson\u2019s<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> true strength at this point in his career is his deep passing, specifically towards the sideline. Below is a snapshot of <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Wilson\u2019s<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> 2024 deep-passing metrics:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">54.0% completion rate on throws over 20 yards\u2014league-best\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">They also led the NFL in <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">PFF\u2019s<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> deep passing grade with a mark of 97.3<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Ranked first in the league in<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> \u201c<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">big-time throw percentage<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u201d <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">(throws that significantly impacted plays) at 37.5%<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/BobbySkinner_\/status\/1904930078045204534\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">https:\/\/twitter.com\/BobbySkinner_\/status\/1904930078045204534<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">As seen above, he prefers deep sideline shots to the right side. To play to <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Wilson\u2019s<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> strengths, the <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Giants\u2019<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> offensive line must hold up. <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">This<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> will be a change from the quick, one-read scheme <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">they\u2019ve<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> relied on in the past.<\/span><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_237578\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-237578\" style=\"width: 640px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-237578 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/06\/USATSI_26482878_168402708_lowres-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"427\" srcset=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/06\/USATSI_26482878_168402708_lowres-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/06\/USATSI_26482878_168402708_lowres-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/06\/USATSI_26482878_168402708_lowres-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/06\/USATSI_26482878_168402708_lowres-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/06\/USATSI_26482878_168402708_lowres-2048x1366.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/06\/USATSI_26482878_168402708_lowres-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/06\/USATSI_26482878_168402708_lowres-1200x800.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-237578\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Jun 18, 2025; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants quarterback Russell Wilson (3) warms up during minicamp at Quest Diagnostics Training Center. Mandatory Credit: John Jones-Imagn Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h3><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Players Who Will Benefit from Russell Wilson<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n<h4><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Malik Nabers, Wide Receiver<\/span><\/strong><\/h4>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Last year, Malik Nabers had over 100 receptions and 1200 yards <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">with<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> Daniel Jones, Drew Lock, and Tommy Devito playing quarterback. If nothing else, he proved that he can produce with uncertainty under center. However, the numbers can be deceiving because the overall <\/span><em><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">quality <\/span><\/em><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">of <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Nabers\u2019<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> targets was pretty underwhelming. Without a quarterback willing to stretch the field, Nabers <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">was forced<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> to catch the ball near the line of scrimmage, <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">which<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> limited his yards per reception total.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Ideally,<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> with Wilson under center, <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Nabers\u2019<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> receptions and targets take a <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">small<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> drop in exchange for higher-quality plays. In other words, expect Nabers to be targeted vertically far more often in 2025 in the same way he was against the Colts late in the season. <\/span><\/p>\n<h4><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Theo Johnson, Tight End<\/span><\/strong><\/h4>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">With Wilson relying on vertical throws as much as any quarterback in the NFL, that means his <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2025\/06\/22\/this-former-starter-could-be-a-surprise-cut-for-the-giants\/\" target=\"_self\">tight ends<\/a> often serve as reliable check-downs. Second-year tight end Theo Johnson, who can stretch the field in his own right, should see an uptick in targets as well. He is a big-bodied<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">tight end with athletic upside, ideal in extended plays and seam routes. Wilson historically favors tight ends in scramble drills in the red zone.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">For comparison, <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2025\/06\/18\/steelers-cordarelle-patterson-trade-cut\/\" target=\"_self\">Steelers<\/a> tight end <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/?s=Pat+Freiermuth\" target=\"_self\">Pat Freiermuth<\/a> finished with 35 catches, 374 yards, and four touchdowns in 10 games with Wilson last season. At that pace, Freiermuth would have finished with 64 catches, 689 yards, and eight touchdowns in 17 games. It <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">wouldn\u2019t<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> be fair to make this the expectation for Johnson. However, it proves that Johnson has a chance to break out in 2024 with Wilson under center. <\/span><\/p>\n<h4><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Jailyn Hyatt, Wide Receiver<\/span><\/strong><\/h4>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">There is no wide receiver on this <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2025\/05\/26\/giants-fantasy-options\/\" target=\"_self\">roster<\/a> whose skill set is more suited for Russell <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Wilson\u2019s<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> style. Hyatt is a scrawny outside receiver with electric speed who, if not pressed at the line of scrimmage, stretches the deep sideline. He reportedly added 20 pounds of muscle this offseason and already has chemistry with his new signal caller in OTAs.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Has Hyatt struggled to get on the field because his former quarterback <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">couldn\u2019t<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> reliably throw the ball downfield? Or is Hyatt just another name on the long list of third-round busts in Giants draft history? With Wilson, 2024 is <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Hyatt\u2019s<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> best opportunity to salvage the early part of his career.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Overall Outlook<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Again, this is not <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/category\/nfl-teams\/seahawks\/\" target=\"_self\">Seattle Seahawks<\/a>-era Russell Wilson, <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">who<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> is going to run around the field and make eye-opening throws. <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">There\u2019s<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> a reason why Denver cut him two years into a massive contract and why the Steelers <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">didn\u2019t<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> re-sign him after a winning season. He is an imperfect quarterback. He is likely somewhere around the 18th-25th starter in the NFL right now. However, what Russell Wilson will bring to the Giants offense is better than what <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">they\u2019ve<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> had over the last three seasons<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Main Photo: [John Jones] &#8211; USA Today Sports<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Giants signed quarterback Russell Wilson to be the team&#8217;s starter in 2025 while rookie Jaxson Dart prepares to be the starter in 2026.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5408,"featured_media":237576,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"1","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[20],"tags":[61,92,40,237],"class_list":["post-237563","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-giants","tag-football","tag-new-york-giants","tag-nfl","tag-russell-wilson"],"modified_by":"Michael Zimmelman","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/237563","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5408"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=237563"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/237563\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":237580,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/237563\/revisions\/237580"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/237576"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=237563"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=237563"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=237563"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}