It didn't take long for Russell Wilson to make his presence felt at New York Giants training camp. The former Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback and long-time NFL veteran was named the starter by the Giants' first training camp practice... and for good reason.
Wilson looks as natural as ever. During his first two practices at Giants camp, the 36-year-old could be seen slinging the ball to his new teammates and developing chemistry with No. 1 wide receiver Malik Nabers.
Early in camp, Wilson has been a highlight reel—connecting with pass-catches for numerous touchdown passes that have gone viral on social media.
The LEEEEEEEK chants rain down as Russell Wilson hits Malik Nabers down the field! pic.twitter.com/9JbTGNTAg4
— Giants Videos (@SNYGiants) July 24, 2025
Malik Nabers TOO SMOOTH 😮💨 pic.twitter.com/6SMtlKPh0R
— Giants Videos (@SNYGiants) July 24, 2025
Future HOF quarterback Russell Wilson drops the dime in the bucket for Wan’Dale Robinson on his first pass in action at Giants training camp pic.twitter.com/tRKqQK3PHs
— Lawrence Jackson Jr. (@LordDontLose) July 23, 2025
Wilson is inspiring hope when Giants fans need it most. While Wilson managed to have a nearly flawless showing to open training camp, the same can't be said for first-round pick Jaxson Dart. On his first throw of training camp in 11-on-11s, Dart threw a pick-six to the defense.
Jaxson Dart first Pick 6 pic.twitter.com/W3e4hYXOSm
— Talkin’ Giants (@TalkinGiants) July 23, 2025
Former Pittsburgh Steelers QB Russell Wilson is a much-needed floor raiser for the New York Giants
At this stage of his career, Russell Wilson isn't the type of quarterback who is going to go toe-to-toe with the Josh Allens and Patrick Mahomes of the world. However, he is the type of floor-raising quarterback who can take a dismal QB situation and get it out of the dumps in a hurry.
For the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2024, Wilson wasn't terrible. In fact, he was impressive before the final five games of the season when the offense struggled to move the ball consistently. But statistically, Wilson still put together a better 11-game sample for the Steelers (16 touchdowns and five interceptions) than any quarterback has since Ben Roethlisberger.
New York Giants fans shouldn't take Wilson's early training camp success as a sign of great things to come. This team is still projected to finish dead last in the NFC East, and they have a few major roster holes.
However, this is a team that—over the past five years—has deployed quarterbacks like Daniel Jones, Colt McCoy, Mike Glennon, Jake Fromm, Davis Webb, Tommy DeVito, Tyrod Taylor, and Drew Lock. Russell Wilson should serve as an immediate upgrade over what this team has had and can act as a bridge QB until Jaxon Dart is ready to take over.
Wilson was never going to be good enough for the Pittsburgh Steelers, but he might offer the stability the New York Giants have been missing for years.