“I wanna play a few more years for sure. I think for me, I’ve always had the vision of getting to 40 at least. I think the game is different. Quarterbacks, we get hit. It’s not, you know, we get hit hard, but, there’s certain rules. I mean, back in the day when I started, bro, it was you just getting clobbered. So, I feel like the game allows you to, you know, live a little longer I guess.”

After winning the Super Bowl with the Seattle Seahawks, Wilson did not find success with teams like the Denver Broncos or the Pittsburgh Steelers. Last season, in what could have been his last chance as a starting QB, he struggled with the Giants and Jaxson Dart emerged as the future for the franchise.

Who will be NY Giants starting QB in 2026?

Jaxson Dart will be the starting quarterback for the New York Giants for the 2026 season. After moments of brilliance in his rookie year, the key will be for him to stay healthy, avoiding injuries and, especially, concussions.

Who is NY Giants head coach?

John Harbaugh is the head coach of the Giants for the 2026 season. After nearly two decades at the helm of the Baltimore Ravens, he was fired and is now looking for a fresh start in New York.

Names like Aaron Rodgers, Russell Wilson and Daniel Jones hover over the conversation, each carrying a different question about value, durability and direction. Their futures are tied not only to performance, but to franchises searching for clarity under center.

Free agency rarely follows a script, and quarterback movement tends to trigger league-wide consequences. What begins as negotiation can quickly become transformation, setting the stage for unexpected contenders and quiet endings long before training camps reopen across the country.

NFL quarterbacks with free agency in 2026

NFL teams across the league are gauging how to address one of the sport’s most pivotal roster questions: quarterback play. With a slew of veteran signal-callers set to hit free agency, clubs with unstable rooms are weighing their next move, knowing one signing can tip the balance between contender and also-ran.

The spotlight on marquee names like Aaron Rodgers, Daniel Jones and Russell Wilson underscores the league’s broader search for stability under center. Beyond the biggest names, emerging talents such as Malik Willis also figure into the QB narrative, offering intriguing upside for teams hesitant to invest big in aging stars.

The choices organizations make in free agency — whether to lock in proven leadership, gamble on resurgence or pivot to youth — could have ripple effects throughout the 2026 season and beyond.

During a recent episode of Hot Ones Versus, Wilson and Ciara faced rapid-fire questions while trying to avoid the infamous Last Dab. The quarterback chose to respond instead of taking the heat, ranking four passers, including himself. It was a lighthearted segment, but one that quickly made waves among fans.

“I’m gonna go Peyton Manning fourth, only because I’ve beaten you, Peyton, in the Super Bowl,” Wilson said. “Me at No. 3, Patrick Mahomes No. 2 because he won multiple Super Bowls, and Tom Brady No. 1.” The competitive tone brought laughs, yet it also underscored how difficult cross-era comparisons can be.

Mahomes remaining in the conversation

It was impossible to minimize what Mahomes had accomplished in a short period of time, leaving him out of any elite tier felt unrealistic. Even when the Kansas City Chiefs stumbled, his résumé and postseason performances kept him central to the debate. Around the league, executives, former players and media voices continued to measure others against his standard.

Sustained success, MVP-level production and deep NFL playoff runs had become expectations rather than surprises. That reality explained why Wilson slotted him just behind Brady, acknowledging both legacy and current dominance. Few active players commanded that type of universal respect.

Wilson’s season numbers

Wilson’s 2025 campaign with the New York Giants ended earlier than many anticipated. After a Week 3 loss, he was benched and eventually yielded the starting job to rookie Jaxson Dart, transitioning into a veteran mentor role for the remainder of the year.

Across six appearances, three of them starts, Wilson threw for 831 yards with three touchdowns and three interceptions. While speculation about his future continues, his voice still carries weight.

When we talk about the SB and the Seahawks, we can’t overlook the name Russell Wilson. The veteran Giants quarterback knows what it’s like to hoist the Vince Lombardi Trophy, and he couldn’t hide his excitement after his former team’s victory, specifically praising Darnold’s performance.

“Sam Darnold’s comeback story over the past 2 years has been one of the most inspirational things to watch! Cool seeing him overcome!!! Congrats bro. Hope you win it! Go Hawks,” Wilson posted on his official X account.

In just a few days, we will finally know whether Darnold can join Wilson on the podium of quarterbacks who have won a championship with the Seahawks, or if he will have to wait a little longer for that honor.

Darnold’s resilience

Despite a turbulent career path with the Jets, Panthers, and 49ers, Sam Darnold has completed a remarkable transformation into a franchise leader. After revitalizing his image with a breakout season for the Vikings last year, he joined the Seattle Seahawks, where he has finally found stability.

His journey through five different organizations proves that perseverance can overcome early setbacks, evolving from a struggling high draft pick into a veteran winner.

The only one from the 2018 Class

Despite being drafted alongside highly decorated prospects like Heisman winner Baker Mayfield and elite stars like Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson, Sam Darnold has carved out a unique legacy as the first quarterback from the 2018 class to reach a Super Bowl.

While Mayfield was the top overall pick and players like Josh Rosen entered the league with immense collegiate hype, it is Darnold who has outlasted the initial expectations of his peers. His path to the championship game with the Seahawks marks a historic milestone for a draft class once defined by its superstar potential.

Some of those pending deals involve familiar faces who have shaped recent seasons, while others belong to players still carving out their place. Together, they form a list that reflects both its recent transition and its unresolved priorities.

With free agency looming, timing and strategy will matter as much as talent. Which NFL contracts are extended, reworked or allowed to expire may influence not just the depth chart, but the broader identity New York carries into 2026.

New York Giants free agents in 2026

The Giants’ roster shows several familiar names approaching the open market in New York. Quarterback Russell Wilson is one of the most notable impending unrestricted free agents after a turbulent 2025 season where injuries and inconsistency limited his role.

Reports indicate he is expected to hit free agency in March, and his recovery status and future beyond the Giants remain open questions. On the offensive front, linemen such as Jermaine Eluemunor and Greg Van Roten are among those set to expire, alongside receivers like Gunner Olszewski.

Special teams aren’t immune, either: long snapper Casey Kreiter is slated to become a free agent, adding another layer of complexity. With the salary cap tightening and draft capital in play, decisions on these players could tell a broader story about whether the Giants choose continuity or wholesale change.

Each of these expiring contracts represents not just a roster move but a potential identity shift for a franchise still in flux after a challenging stretch of seasons. How the front office prioritizes extensions, re-signings and draft resources will set the tone for the 2026 campaign and beyond.

Wilson is already 37 years old and his decline would indicate that the retirement should be coming. However, Wilson dismissed this. He says he wants to continue playing, and that he is “not blinking” in his desire to still play football.

Wilson finished the 2025 season with six games played for the Giants, only three starts and lackluster numbers. He went 0-3, completing 58% of his passes for 831 yards, three touchdowns and three interceptions. Wilson only had two games with 100+ passer rating (one of them he only made one pass), and the rest of his games were below 64.6 rate. He is just not the same anymore, but he is still trying to stay in the league.

Wilson’s recent years have been very poor

Wilson stated that he tore his hamstring before the game against the Cowboys, which was his better game of the season. Still, not the best actions after that. Wilson lost his job to rookie Jaxson Dart and even got relegated to QB3 below Jameis Winston.

Wilson left Seattle in 2022. In the following four seasons, he’s only gone to one Pro Bowl and lost the job in Denver, Pittsburgh, and now in New York. From 2024 to 2025, his record is 17-24 and somehow he constantly found himself involved in dramas. It remains to be seen where his future lies in 2025, as his Giants deal is up.

The Giants ended the season in the worst possible way

Winning two games in a row should be good news, but not for the Giants. Winning those games made them fall in the 2026 NFL Draft order. So that is bad news for the team, who will have to reestructure its offseason plans.

Also, the Giants got hit with plenty of fines to end the 2025 NFL season. The team also has to focus on recovering Malik Nabers and Cam Skattebo for next season. More importantly than all that, they must find a head coach that helps with the evolution of Jaxson Dart.

But the real question is: what is the main reason why Dart won’t play in this crucial matchup, and why Winston will — a quarterback who, at one point, was actually third on the Giants’ depth chart?

The former Ole Miss standout was forced to leave the field in his last outing against the Bears due to a severe concussion, which will keep him sidelined at MetLife. Interim head coach Mike Kafka is hopeful that he’ll be ready to return by Week 12.

For this storied franchise, the season has been far from what anyone expected — not only in terms of results, but also because of the devastating injuries suffered along the way. In addition to Dart, key players like Malik Nabers and Cam Skattebo have been significant losses for a team still searching for its footing.

Winston over Wilson

Russell Wilson’s arrival once had many believing the Giants had finally found their franchise quarterback to make a legitimate push for a Super Bowl run. However, his underwhelming performance has left him out of the starting role even now, with Dart in concussion protocol and Winston ultimately set to take the first snap.

“I think Jameis has done a great job since he’s been here,” Kafka said via the team’s official website. “Just like all our quarterback room, I’ve got a lot of trust in that room, being in there all the time, pretty much every single day since we’ve been here.

“But I’ve got a good feel for those guys, and I think Jameis will do a heck of a job. He’s a great leader. He has a lot of production in this league, and I think he’s going to do a great job leading that group.”

Saving the season

The New York Giants find themselves staring down a crucial juncture, desperately needing a win to keep their faltering season alive. After a disappointing start, the team is tasked with an immediate and essential mandate: secure a victory against the Green Bay Packers this weekend.

This matchup is not just another game; it is an inflection point. If the Giants have any hope of salvaging their campaign and mounting a late-season playoff push, it must start with a decisive performance and a win over the Packers. Failure is not an option for Big Blue as they battle to turn their year around.

While the prospect of Wilson starting looms, the veteran quarterback conveyed a reflective message about his NFL future. “My favorite scripture is Matthew 6:33. It’s my life philosophy, I would say. Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Verse 34 says don’t worry about tomorrow, because tomorrow has enough worries itself,“ Wilson articulated to the media on Wednesday.

Through these words, Wilson emphasized his focus on the present rather than his NFL future, as his attention is directed towards his current duties with the Giants, who may rely on him for the upcoming Week 11 game against the Packers.

The current atmosphere within the Giants organization is not optimal, as the team has struggled through their first 10 games of the season, amassing a disappointing 2-8 record. Their defense’s performance has noticeably underwhelmed.

Wilson’s journey before the NFL

Reflecting on his path to the NFL, Wilson was forthright in sharing insights about his early beginnings in the sport and how those experiences led him to choose the NFL over a potential career in baseball.

“That decision really stemmed from when I was in a challenging situation, faced with choosing between playing football and baseball. My dad was on his deathbed, and a lot was happening. I didn’t know what path to choose, or what actions to take. I was holding two gifts in my hands, with so much going for me, but I also faced this life-altering choice,“ Wilson recounted to the media about his pivotal decision.

Giants await full injury report

Beyond Dart, several other players on the roster appear on the injury report with their status yet to be determined. Some of these players could be pivotal for the remainder of the regular season, and their return could significantly impact the matchup against the Packers.

Here is the complete list of players on the injury report:

• Jaxson Dart
• Graham Gano
• Chauncey Golston
• Neville Hewitt
• Evan Neal
• Tyler Nubin
• Rakeem Nunez-Roches
• Bobby Okereke
• Darius Slayton
• Kayvon Thibodeaux
• aulson Adebo
• Daniel Bellinger
• Victor Dimukeje
• John Michael Schmitz

Russell Wilson’s career hasn’t been the same since leaving the Seattle Seahawks. The Super Bowl XLVIII champion has struggled to find consistency in recent years, and his time with the Giants has only added to his frustrations.

Wilson was initially brought in to be New York’s QB1, but quickly lost his job to rookie Jaxson Dart. Now, with Dart sidelined by a concussion, the team has decided to promote Winston instead — pushing Wilson even further down the depth chart.

Russell Wilson sends message to Jameis Winston after losing starting job

Wilson has been dealt another setback by the Giants. After being benched weeks ago, the veteran has now been passed over again, as interim head coach Mike Kafka confirmed that Winston will start against the Green Bay Packers if Dart isn’t cleared to play.

The move surprised many, especially since Wilson had been listed as the No. 2 quarterback. Still, rather than expressing frustration, the former Seahawks star showed class — sending a supportive message to Winston and emphasizing that the team comes first.

“Obviously, I want to play,” Russell Wilson said, via SNY. “But also, Jameis has worked his butt off to get in great opportunities. The guy’s played in this league for a long time and he’s one of my closest friends. I know he’ll do a great job. I’ll help him prepare in the best way possible. I’ll be ready to go and all that.”

What’s next for Russell Wilson?

Wilson, 36, signed a one-year deal with the Giants for the 2025 season, but all signs point to the Super Bowl champion becoming a free agent once again next offseason.

Retirement has reportedly become an option for Wilson. While he still hopes to continue his career, league confidence in him appears to have waned — meaning his next opportunity may come as a backup rather than a starter.

Mike Kafka was named the team’s interim head coach, and in an intriguing first move, he designated Jameis Winston as the franchise’s QB2 — giving him a real chance to see some action in the upcoming game against the Green Bay Packers.

The news was reported by NFL insider Jordan Schultz, who, through his official X account (formerly Twitter), shared details of this major decision by Kafka — one that directly impacts Russell Wilson.

“The Giants, under new HC Mike Kafka, are elevating Jameis Winston to the No. 2 QB which puts him in line to start on Sunday vs the Packers should Jaxson Dart not be ready due to his concussion. Jameis time in New York.”

The Jaxson Dart situation

New York Giants rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart has officially entered the NFL’s concussion protocol following a head injury sustained during Sunday’s loss to the Bears. Dart was a crucial part of the offense before exiting, leaving his availability in doubt for the upcoming Week 11 matchup against the Packers.

The promising young signal-caller will have to clear all required medical steps before being permitted to return to the field, making his status for this week’s game highly uncertain.

A new era on the Giants

The New York Giants have abruptly fired head coach Brian Daboll, parting ways with the 2022 NFL Coach of the Year after a deeply disappointing 2-8 start to the season. The decision came just one day after falling to the Chicago Bears, the team’s latest heartbreaking loss, which sealed Daboll’s fate as ownership seeks an immediate change to salvage the franchise’s direction. Offensive coordinator Mike Kafka has been named the interim head coach.

Reports indicate that Dart is currently undergoing evaluation for a potential concussion, which necessitated his early departure from the field. As a result, Wilson stepped in for the Giants during the closing minutes of the game. Dart emerged as a pivotal force in the game against the Bears, significantly influencing the Giants’ strategy as they aimed to secure an early victory.

Dart delivered a commendable performance, recording 242 passing yards with 19 completions out of 29 attempts. He stood out as the Giants’ most valuable player thus far, leading the team to a 17-10 advantage heading into the fourth quarter against Chicago.

Dart’s status following evaluation

According to NFL insider Tom Pelissero, Dart has been sidelined for the remainder of the game against the Bears. Consequently, Wilson is anticipated to step in for the Giants, as the fan base eagerly awaits updates on Dart’s condition in the upcoming team report.

The Giants now face a critical period as they await news on Dart, their star quarterback and the bedrock of their regular-season endeavors. While Wilson presents a reliable backup option, Dart’s performance this season has sparked MVP conversations, making his potential absence a significant concern.

Dart’s record against the Bears

In an impressive display against Chicago, Dart etched his name in NFL history by becoming the only quarterback to achieve a rushing touchdown in five consecutive games.