Russell Wilson may have only officially signed his contract with the New York Giants on Wednesday, March 26, but he has already, perhaps unintentionally, issued a challenge to fellow quarterback Jameis Winston.
Both were acquired during the 2025 NFL free agency period, yet there’s no ambiguity about the quarterback hierarchy—at least in Wilson’s view.
Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, the 36-year-old made his stance clear, saying, “I expect to be the starter,” according to NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo.
It’s possible the Giants lured Wilson with the promise of the QB1 role as part of his one-year, $21 million deal. However, Winston, who signed a two-year, $8 million contract, may have something to say about how the competition unfolds.
Both quarterbacks transitioned from backup roles to starters last season—Wilson with the Steelers and Winston with the Browns—setting the stage for what could be a heated battle, regardless of Wilson’s expectations.
Adding another layer to the competition, the Giants might also target a quarterback in the 2025 NFL Draft. But Wilson has made it clear he has strong feelings about that possibility as well.
Russell Wilson Already Talking Big
Wilson hasn’t hesitated to set ambitious goals for his tenure with the Giants. He was quick to remind everyone that MetLife Stadium was the site of his lone Super Bowl victory with the 2013 Seattle Seahawks.
Aiming to lift the Lombardi Trophy with the Giants is an extremely high bar, especially for a quarterback joining a 3-11 team and coming off several underwhelming seasons. However, the Giants appear committed to winning with Wilson under center, as reflected in the fine print of his contract.
His deal includes “a complicated incentive package that can be worth up to $7.5M more based on a variety of play-time, performance & playoff incentives. Also up to $3M is available ($176.5K per game) based on wins and playing more than 50% plays,” according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
While the Giants need Wilson to perform well, their primary reason for signing him was to bring stability and credibility to the quarterback position. He isn’t the long-term answer, and the team may still look to the draft for their future signal-caller. However, Wilson doesn’t seem interested in stepping into a mentorship role.
When asked about leadership, he told reporters a starter should “Handle yourself first. … Control what you can control. … Lead by example,” per ESPN’s Jordan Raanan.
Before anything else, Wilson will need to focus on securing his own role by outperforming Winston this offseason.
Jameis Winston Won’t Settle for Less With Giants
Winston may have signed a backup-level contract, but he’s coming off a season where he played in 12 games for the Browns, starting seven and posting a 2-5 record. One of those wins came in Week 12 against Wilson and the Steelers, making it a notable victory.
Like Wilson, Winston has the ability to stretch the field with a single throw, a skill that should complement the Giants’ explosive receiving corps, including deep-threat Darius Slayton and top target Malik Nabers.
Head coach Brian Daboll, who also serves as the team’s play-caller, understands how to structure an offense to maximize Winston’s strengths. However, there’s a reason the Giants pursued Wilson even after securing a veteran quarterback.
Wilson remains one of the league’s most skilled deep-ball passers and boasts a stronger résumé than Winston, including 10 Pro Bowl appearances.
While Wilson is expected to be the starter, Winston is more than capable of making it a true competition in the months ahead.
