Russell Wilson relishing opportunity to lead Giants back to glory following Steelers exit

When the Pittsburgh Steelers decided to move on from Russell Wilson earlier this offseason, the veteran quarterback had one team heavily pursue him in free agency. It was the New York Giants, who signed the 36-year-old to a one-year deal with $10.5 million guaranteed.

While Wilson is new to the Giants, MetLife Stadium is a familiar venue. It was there, Feb. 2, 2014, where Wilson and the Seattle Seahawks dominated the Denver Broncos to win Super Bowl XLVIII. Now more than 11 years later, Wilson is hopeful of regaining his once elite form and bringing the Giants back to glory.

The Giants have reached the postseason just twice since their Super Bowl triumph in 2011. New York is a tough market, but Wilson is relishing the opportunity to perform where the lights are the brightest.

“The opportunity here is so great,” Wilson said on the 7PM in Brooklyn with Carmelo Anthony podcast. “I don’t mind the lights. I don’t mind that part of it. I think the other part of it for me, most importantly of it all that, is I’ve been here before. When you walk into a stadium, into a locker room and you know, like my locker is the same locker I had when I won the Super Bowl. So, for me, when I see that, when I walk into the stadium, I’m like, I’ve been here before. Not just been here but, like, we did this before.

“So, I fundamentally believe it’s possible again in terms of being successful again and being at the highest level. I think we got the right guys. … There’s a lot of good pieces to it. And it’s a show.”

Giants add Russell Wilson to crowded QB room

2024 was an up-and-down year for both Wilson and the Steelers. Wilson missed the first six games of the season with a calf injury and was inserted into the starting lineup in Week 7. The Steelers won six of Wilson’s first seven starts. At one point, Pittsburgh carried a 10-3 record and occupied first place in a competitive AFC North.

A four-game losing streak to end the regular season meant that Pittsburgh would have to play on the road as a Wild Card against the Baltimore Ravens, who captured the division crown for the second consecutive season. Pittsburgh dropped their sixth consecutive playoff game dating back to 2016 under Mike Tomlin.

There was a common theme throughout the five straight defeats: The Steelers struggled to put points on the board, failing to surpass more than 17 points. Wilson finished his 13th season in the NFL throwing for 2,482 yards, 16 touchdowns and five interceptions on 63.7% passing.

That’s in the past for Wilson, who now leads a quarterback room which includes Jameis Winston and 2025 first round pick Jaxson Dart. Giants head coach Brian Daboll believes in Wilson, and the feeling is mutual the other way around.

“Here with Dabes, I’m excited because his offensive wizardry is really special,” Wilson said. “Him and [offensive coordinator Mike] Kafka, a guy who played quarterback in the league, just the rest of the staff, too … people that I know and people that I believe in. I’m excited about the opportunity.”