As the Giants prep for the 2025 season, an AFC rival questions Russell Wilson's starting job, fueling a QB battle with Jaxson Dart. Can Daboll lead?
StatPro NFL Beat Reporter
Just when the offseason buzz around the New York Giants seemed to be building, a dose of cold water arrived from an AFC rival. An unnamed competitor publicly questioned whether Russell Wilson should even be the Giants' starting quarterback, throwing fuel on a fire of skepticism that has quietly simmered since his high-profile signing. The comment cuts to the core of the Giants' 2025 identity: a team loaded with question marks, immense pressure, and a head coach whose job may depend on getting the right answers, fast.
An AFC rival publicly stated that Wilson should not be the Giants' starting quarterback, highlighting skepticism about his ability to lead the team.
The anonymous shot across the bow from an AFC rival puts the Giants' biggest offseason gamble squarely in the spotlight. While the franchise is banking on Russell Wilson's veteran experience to resurrect a sputtering offense, not everyone in the league is sold. This external doubt only amplifies the internal pressure cooker, where Wilson is not just competing against league perception but also against promising rookie Jaxson Dart, the quarterback the front office traded up to acquire. Wilson has been vocal about his motivation for a New York redemption, but with training camp weeks away, he'll have to prove it on the field, not just in interviews.
While questions swirl around the quarterback, there's no doubting the talent of his top target. Second-year phenom Malik Nabers was officially named to the NFL's All-Under-25 Team, a significant honor that confirms his status as one of the league's premier young playmakers. Nabers is expected to be the engine of the passing game, but his health remains a key variable. He's been nursing a toe injury all offseason, and while the team remains optimistic, his ability to be 100% for Week 1 is critical for whoever is under center. His success is directly tied to the team's success.
The ruthless reality of the NFL is already taking shape on the defensive side of the ball. Linebacker Victor Dimukeje, signed as a free agent this past spring, finds his roster spot in serious jeopardy before even taking a meaningful snap. A torn pectoral muscle sidelined him for all spring activities, and in his absence, impressive rookie Abdul Carter and fellow free agent Chauncey Golston have made their case. With limited roster spots, beat reporters are already predicting that Dimukeje, a player brought in to help, could be the odd man out in final cuts. It's a stark reminder of how quickly fortunes can change.
The pressure isn't just on the players; it's emanating from the very top. Owner John Mara has made his impatience clear after consecutive losing seasons, placing head coach Brian Daboll squarely on the hot seat. The offseason moves—parting with franchise icon Saquon Barkley (who then won a Super Bowl with the rival Eagles), trading up for a QB, and now exploring the sale of a minority ownership stake—signal a franchise in transition and in desperate need of a new direction. With the season opener against Washington looming, Daboll knows he has to deliver results, or he could be the next one out the door.
With just 54 days until the season opener, all eyes now turn to training camp. It's where the talking stops and the real battles begin. Will Russell Wilson silence the doubters and prove he's the answer? Can Malik Nabers stay healthy and live up to his elite billing? And can Brian Daboll coach this collection of high-stakes acquisitions and promising rookies into a winner? The clock is ticking, and the answers will start arriving soon.
