Did Giants’ QB Narrative Shift Russell Wilson’s Thinking?

Since there were a lot of questions regarding the starting quarterback position for the New York Giants, the team’s head coach, Brian Daboll, didn’t want the conversation to be steered in the wrong direction for much longer. Before the Giants kicked off training camp, Daboll made it clear that Russell Wilson was the team’s starter.

Wilson didn’t seem to need that assurance throughout the offseason, since he signed a one-year deal with the Giants, and that remains the case this week.

Whether Wilson was named the starter—or placed in a quarterback battle for the spot—the approach remains the same.

“I’m always just focused on being the best version of me every day,” Wilson told reporters in response to Daboll’s comments.

“For me, my mentality is always to be the best in the world. I don’t know anything else other than that. I’m just trying to have that mentality and helping our football team win. I think that’s the big thing that I’m really focused on is elevating our practice, elevating our play, elevating our mentality, and having the championship mentality daily. I think that we’re on that path, but we’ve got to keep doing it daily, and it starts with me and my mindset, my energy, and the way I step into the huddle every day. That’s important.”

Wilson’s been in the league long enough to know what it takes to lead a team at the highest level. Since landing on the Seattle Seahawks in 2012 as a third-round pick, Wilson has been in the shoes of a Jaxson Dart, who is going through his rookie season as a pro. But he was never one to have to hold the clipboard where he was drafted.

It wasn’t until recent years that Wilson’s status as a starting veteran came into question. Two seasons with the Denver Broncos and a one-year stint with the Pittsburgh Steelers have resulted in the quarterback fighting against a negative narrative about what he can bring to the table at this stage of his career.

Last season, Wilson got the chance to play in just 11 games for the Steelers. He threw 336 passes, completing 64 percent of those attempts for 2,482 yards and 16 touchdowns. Wilson maintained the starting position in the playoffs, appearing in just one game. He tossed for 270 yards, two touchdowns, and zero interceptions in the Wild Card loss.

The Steelers have moved on to their next veteran, adding Aaron Rodgers. Wilson moved to the Big Apple to play for the Giants. While his leash might be short, the veteran has the support of his coaching staff and organization as the starter for the time being.

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