The 2025 NFL season represents a pivotal moment for Russell Wilson as he aims to solidify his legacy by surpassing Eli Manning’s career passing touchdown record. Now 36 years old and playing for the New York Giants, Wilson faces the challenge of leading a struggling offense behind an offensive line ranked 28th by PFF. After an underwhelming stint in Pittsburgh, where he matched a low touchdown total, Wilson must prove he can overcome those difficulties to extend his touchdown count.
Challenges Facing Wilson with the Giants’ Offense
Wilson’s immediate task is to improve a Giants offense that has underperformed, despite the presence of promising weapons like Malik Nabers. His previous experience with young wide receivers, including George Pickens in Pittsburgh, did not translate into significant success, prompting cautious expectations for his New York tenure. The offensive line’s poor ranking further complicates Wilson’s ability to produce at a high level consistently.
The Touchdown Record Chase Versus Eli Manning
Currently, Wilson stands at 350 career passing touchdowns, placing him 12th all-time, while Eli Manning has 366 touchdowns over his 16 seasons, ranking 11th. To surpass Manning, Wilson needs 17 more touchdown passes. Wilson already holds more regular-season wins than Eli (121 to 117), but eclipsing the touchdown mark remains a notable milestone tied closely to the Giants’ history and Eli’s legacy.
Wilson’s Historical Performance and Potential Roadblocks
Wilson’s record when adapting to new teams raises concerns. In his first season with Denver in 2022, he threw only 16 touchdowns, a figure he matched last season in Pittsburgh. Although he played fewer games in 2024, it is uncertain whether he will start every game with New York. The possibility of being replaced by younger quarterbacks such as Jaxson Dart or veteran Jameis Winston looms if Wilson struggles this season.
Context Within All-Time Passing Touchdown Leaders
The all-time leaderboard is firmly topped by Tom Brady, who amassed 649 touchdown passes over 23 seasons. Following Brady are Drew Brees with 571, Peyton Manning at 539, Brett Favre with 508, and Aaron Rodgers at 503. While Wilson’s current position is just outside the top ten, surpassing Eli Manning would further elevate his place among elite quarterbacks.
Wilson’s Strengths Compared to Manning
Despite the uncertainty around the touchdown record, Wilson has already outperformed Eli Manning in several statistical areas, including completion percentage, touchdown-to-interception ratio, rushing touchdowns, and rushing yards. However, the absence of another Super Bowl championship, especially playing in New York’s challenging environment, makes matching Manning’s overall stature more difficult.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. How old was Russell Wilson when he dated Ciara?
A. Russell Wilson, a 35-year-old quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers, has been married to singer Ciara for several years. They started dating in early 2015 and later tied the knot, expanding their family over time.
Q. Did Russell Wilson and DK Metcalf play together?
A. Wilson and Metcalf played together in Seattle for three years, and they are still good friends today.