Russell Wilson’s debut with the Giants raises mixed feelings among New York fans

A new era has begun for the New York Giants. Russell Wilson made his official debut with the team, sparking mixed emotions among fans after his performance against the Buffalo Bills.

The Giants have struggled to find a solid replacement for Eli Manning. After letting Daniel Jones go last year, the club entered the 2025 NFL season without a reliable quarterback.

In free agency, the Giants found Russell Wilson available. The Super Bowl XLVII champion is set to be the team’s starter, hoping to finally become the quarterback they’ve been searching for.

Russell Wilson’s performance vs. Bills sparks mixed emotions among Giants fans

There is a new QB1 in New York. Russell Wilson is expected to lead the team this year, aiming to replicate the success he had with the Seahawks now that he’s back in the NFC.

While the Giants also acquired Jameis Winston and Jaxson Dart this year, Wilson has the full support of head coach Brian Daboll to be the starter. For that reason, Daboll gave him some reps in the preseason opener against the Bills to help Wilson get into rhythm.

The former Seahawks star had just one drive in the preseason opener against Buffalo. Facing Buffalo’s starting defense, Wilson moved the chains solidly but didn’t generate enough punch to score a touchdown.

Wilson went 6-of-7 for 28 yards, and his only drive ended with a field goal for the Giants. Fans shared mixed reactions—some called it a decent debut, while others remain doubtful about his impact.

The bar isn’t set too high for Wilson, as Daniel Jones left it quite low. However, as a former Super Bowl champion, fans expect Wilson to build a strong connection with Malik Nabers and turn the Giants into a solid dark horse this upcoming campaign.

Who will be Russell Wilson’s backup on the Giants?

While Wilson’s starting job is nearly guaranteed, the big question is who will back him up. The competition for the backup quarterback role will be fierce, with three players vying for the spot.

Currently, it looks like Jameis Winston will serve as Wilson’s primary backup, while rookie Jaxson Dart and Tommy DeVito battle for the third-string role and a spot on the final 53-man roster.