The Giants named Russell Wilson QB1 for the 2025 season, sidelining Daniel Jones. Can they survive the NFL's toughest schedule? Analysis from June 2025.
StatPro NFL Beat Reporter
The dog days of summer are here, but for the New York Giants, the heat is already on full blast. With the NFL's most punishing 2025 schedule looming, the team is staring down a make-or-break season. The latest bombshell from minicamp? Head Coach Brian Daboll has officially named veteran Russell Wilson as the starting quarterback heading into training camp, putting the future of Daniel Jones in serious question and placing the fate of the season on a revamped roster.
The Giants' 2025 schedule is considered the toughest in the league, featuring a brutal opening stretch with eight of their first 13 games on the road.
There's no sugarcoating it: the 2025 schedule is a monster. The Giants will face a murderer's row of opponents, including the 49ers, Ravens, and Bills, with three games slated for prime time. The early part of the season is particularly daunting, with eight of the first 13 contests played away from MetLife Stadium. While a home-heavy finish and a late bye week offer a glimmer of hope, the team will need to weather an incredible storm just to be in playoff contention by December. Every win will be a dogfight.
The biggest question of the offseason now has an answer. Brian Daboll confirmed Friday that Russell Wilson will enter training camp as QB1. This move sends shockwaves through the organization and effectively sidelines Daniel Jones, who is coming off an injury-plagued 2024. The pressure on Jones is now of a different kind—not just to win, but to prove he still belongs. For Wilson, the pressure is to show he can still lead a team to the playoffs, especially with a challenging schedule ahead. With promising rookie Jaxon Dart also in the room, the quarterback position will be the most scrutinized group all summer.
If the Giants are to survive their schedule, it will be on the back of their defense. Early reports from minicamp suggest the unit is ready for the challenge. The pass rush duo of Brian Burns and Kayvon Thibodeaux looks formidable, and the energy is palpable. The secondary received a major boost with the addition of cornerback Paulson Adebo, a move CBS Sports just named the team's best of the offseason. Add in the disruptive potential of No. 3 overall pick Abdul Carter, and you have the makings of a unit capable of keeping the Giants in games.
On the other side of the ball, a key weapon appears to be emerging. Third-year receiver Jalin Hyatt has been turning heads throughout OTAs, reportedly showing improved route-running and strong chemistry with the quarterbacks. Hyatt's deep-threat speed is a game-changing element the offense desperately needs. If his development continues on this trajectory, he could become a reliable target for Russell Wilson and a crucial piece in unlocking the offense's potential.
The battle lines are drawn for the 2025 season. With a new-look defense generating buzz and a veteran Super Bowl champion at quarterback, there's reason for cautious optimism. But the unforgiving schedule leaves no room for error. The upcoming joint practices with the Jets ahead of their August 16 preseason matchup will be our first real glimpse of how this team handles adversity before the games truly count. Buckle up, Giants fans, it's going to be a turbulent ride.
