New York Giants wide receiver Darius Slayton is preparing to play with new quarterbacks Russell Wilson, Jameis Winston, and rookie Jaxson Dart in the 2025 season. Following a challenging period with Daniel Jones as the team‘s starter, Slayton is eager to develop chemistry with these new teammates and improve the Giants’ offensive prospects.
Slayton recently shared his thoughts on practicing with Wilson during this offseason, contrasting the experience with his previous time working alongside Jones.
“There’s certain plays where the ball’s designed to go certain places. In his head, he might be in the huddle and go ‘Hey, you’ve got the post here, but you’re not dead,’” Slayton said.
“A lot of times, you might run a post corner, whatever different concepts, and the guy underneath always gets the ball. When you’re the guy running deep, you’re just kind of running for love. He’ll be like, ‘Hey, alert here, if the safety drops, I’ll give it to you,’ and he’s done it multiple times over camp.
“You’re going to run anyways, but it gives you a little extra juice. I could really get the ball right here.”
The Impact of Daniel Jones’ Tenure and Departure
The Giants began the 2024 season with Daniel Jones as their primary quarterback, but after a series of disappointing performances, Jones was benched midseason and eventually released in November. Although he joined the Minnesota Vikings later that year, Jones did not take part in any games for the team.
In the offseason, Jones signed a reported one-year deal worth $14 million with the Indianapolis Colts, signaling a fresh start for his career while the Giants transition to new quarterback options.
Optimism for the Giants’ Offensive Future, According to Slayton
Following a recent organized team activity (OTA), Slayton expressed confidence in the Giants’ direction under their revamped quarterback lineup.
“I was confident in the direction that we were going to go in, and obviously, once we make the acquisitions, obviously a lot of people mostly focus on the quarterback position.
“Once we acquire the guys we have now, that obviously just raised the confidence level of, alright, we have a chance to be a good offense.”
Selected by the Giants in the fifth round of the 2019 NFL Draft, Slayton has become a steady presence on the team’s offense. Over six seasons, he has accumulated 3,897 receiving yards and 21 touchdowns on 259 receptions.
This offseason, the Giants secured Slayton’s presence with a three-year contract valued at $36 million, emphasizing their commitment to his role in their future plans.
How the Quarterback Changes May Shape the Giants’ Next Chapter
Slayton’s remarks highlight how Daniel Jones’ earlier struggles created space for new leadership at the quarterback position, with Russell Wilson’s precision and play-calling raising expectations. Wilson’s ability to read defenses and adjust plays on the fly has already impressed teammates, suggesting a more dynamic passing attack ahead.
The Giants’ offensive prospects appear brighter as they blend veterans like Wilson and Winston with promising talent like Dart, aiming to surpass recent setbacks. Slayton’s upbeat outlook reflects a team ready to rebuild around a quarterback situation transformed by the lessons of past seasons.