The Giants made the Russell Wilson signing official Wednesday and the Super Bowl-winning quarterback is ready to roll and help bring the franchise back to respectability.
But after an offseason of quarterback signings that includes Jameis Winston, and the possibility of the Giants drafting a young signal-caller in this year’s draft, Wilson made it clear that he signed with New York to be the starter in Week 1.
“I expect to be the starter and come in here and be ready to rock and roll every day,” Wilson said on his introductory Zoom on Thursday. “To be able to lead, this team is looking for someone to lead them in every way in terms of the process in the offseason, during the season, our habits and thought process and how to create a good winning culture and how to establish that and how to build on the things we do well and the things we need to do.”
Wilson says that in his 14 years in the NFL, he always looks forward to working with players who “share the same goal” and that will continue with the Giants.
But the possibility of the Giants drafting a QB is still there, and was a topic brought up to Wilson a few times during his Zoom call. The 10-time Pro Bowler talked a bit about that possibility but focused on the players on the team, and what he can do to help them win.
“Every NFL team nowadays has two to three quarterbacks," Wilson said. "Right now we have Tommy DeVito, and Jameis, and myself and we’re just excited to get to work. The great part about professional sports is There’s constant change, constant moving. If we draft a quarterback, we’ll make sure he does everything he can to be ready to go and be prepared with his mentality.
“For me, it’s about the process of winning. I’m focused on winning, what I can do as the quarterback of the New York Giants. To help us win and to do everything I can to lead.”
Wilson helped the Steelers make the postseason last year, throwing for 2,482 yards and 16 touchdowns across 11 starts after returning from injury. However, the Giants will be his third team in three years, a sign of potential decline for the 36-year-old.
Despite that, Wilson still feels he has something to give the Giants, especially with this group.
“You never feel like you do enough unless you win it all. I’ve had some amazing years, but whenever you don’t win it all, you want to be able to say it,” he said. “To find a way to do it with these guys, I’m excited to get to work and just focus on that part. I know that when you put in the good work, good things happen.”
The Giants are coming off a 3-14 season but Wilson sees a lot of talent on the roster and believes in coach Brian Daboll and his "attack mentality" especially on offense.
How does Wilson know the Giants roster? He played against the G-Men last season with the Steelers -- a 26-18 win for Pittsburgh -- and threw for 278 yards and a touchdown back in October. In that game, he pointed out the play of Dexter Lawrence, Brian Burns, and Deonte Banks among others.
But Wilson isn't trying to think too far ahead. He's not going to make guarantees or put expectations on this year's team. He knows there's a process to these things and is looking forward to starting the work.
“I’m just enjoying today and being a New York Giant," Wilson said. "We’ll get to work soon and work with these guys and really really challenge the guys every day, starting with myself. I want to be that for myself for this team."