The New York Giants have made a decisive choice in their ongoing Jameis Winston Giants quarterback competition, as head coach Brian Daboll has officially named Russell Wilson the starter for the 2025-2026 <a href="https://www.buzzineintl.com/category/football/nfl/”>NFL season. This announcement comes after the team’s complete revamp of their quarterback room following the release of Daniel Jones, the franchise’s 2019 first-round pick.
Wilson will begin the regular season as the Giants’ quarterback, a decision revealed before the start of training camp at the team’s practice facility in New York. The move ends any lingering debate among the three potential starters competing for the job: Wilson, Winston, and rookie Jaxson Dart, selected in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft.
Evaluating the Giants’ Quarterback Situation and Wilson’s Path to the Starting Role
Many anticipated a prolonged quarterback battle deep into camp, given the presence of three very different options. However, Daboll’s early confirmation of Wilson as the Week 1 starter surprised some observers who expected him to allow competition to play out during training sessions.
Wilson brings the most extensive NFL experience to the Giants’ roster as a former elite quarterback with the Seattle Seahawks, though his performance has declined since moving to the Denver Broncos in 2022. Most recently, Wilson spent the 2024-2025 season with the Pittsburgh Steelers, where he posted modest statistics, throwing for 2,482 yards with 16 touchdowns and five interceptions across 11 starts.
Following Pittsburgh’s decision not to re-sign him, Wilson entered free agency and subsequently signed a one-year deal with the Giants worth $10.5 million. With his arrival, the Giants now rely on the veteran to lead the offense, despite uncertainty regarding the current form of their quarterback group.
Concerns About the Decision and Its Implications for Winston and Dart
By naming Wilson as the starter immediately, Daboll is effectively limiting the opportunities for Winston and Dart to showcase their abilities in practice. Winston, who started seven games for the Cleveland Browns last season, may have hoped for a chance to compete more directly for the role.
Neither Wilson, Winston, nor Dart are widely regarded as elite quarterbacks, which makes the Giants’ decision somewhat puzzling. Allowing a full competition during camp might have provided better insight into which quarterback offers the best chance for success. Nonetheless, Daboll’s choice to hand Wilson the majority of first-team reps suggests the coaching staff wants the veteran as prepared and comfortable as possible before their season opener against the Washington Commanders.
It remains clear, however, that this decision is not set in stone; if Wilson struggles early in the season, the Giants are expected to turn to Dart, their highly drafted rookie, as a potential replacement. This indicates that while Wilson holds the starting job at the moment, the quarterback room remains fluid.
What This Means for the Giants’ Season and Upcoming Battles
With Wilson as the opening-day starter, the Giants are placing significant trust in a quarterback whose peak years are behind him but who still commands respect for his experience and leadership. The move aims to provide stability at the position as the team attempts to rebound in a competitive <a href="https://www.buzzineintl.com/category/football/nfl/nfc/”>NFC East division.
The choice to name a starter before training camp opens suggests the Giants want to fast-track Wilson’s integration into the offense. This will allow him to build chemistry with teammates and grasp Brian Daboll’s system fully as they prepare to face a tough division rival.
The Jameis Winston Giants quarterback competition may have ended for now, but the season will reveal whether this decision meets the team’s expectations or whether a shift at quarterback becomes necessary to improve the Giants’ chances in 2025.