Giants' Russell Wilson isn't concerned about calls for Jaxson Dart to replace him at QB
Giants quarterback Russell Wilson looks on during a news conference after a game against the Washington Commanders on Sunday in Landover, Md. Credit: AP/Stephanie Scarbrough
Russell Wilson didn’t listen to the chatter about his job security after last Sunday's loss to the Commanders. It didn't matter by Monday with coach Brian Daboll saying he’d remain the Giants starting quarterback heading to Dallas this weekend.
Wilson said the two didn’t speak much after the season-opening loss about his future. He also didn’t read too much in Daboll not immediately affirming he’d remain the starter.
“I don’t look into syntax or diction and all the little words somebody says or doesn’t say,” Wilson said Wednesday after practice. “I think at the end of the day, I’m grateful to be the quarterback here. I’m grateful to lead these guys every day and I’m grateful to go try and help our football team win.”
It would’ve seemed rash for the Giants to make a switch after one game, even with glaring problems on offense. The six points scored were the fewest of any team in Week 1 and Wilson's 45.9% completion percentage was lower than every starter except Titans rookie and No. 1 overall pick Cam Ward.
Wilson took ownership Wednesday for not playing good enough. But he wasn’t concerned about his status or the calls for rookie Jaxson Dart to take over. To him, it was just the latest challenge to embrace in his 14-year career.
“For me, personally, my confidence never blinks. I've been through everything,” Wilson said. “I've been through all the biggest highs there could be. I've been through a few lows. But at the same time, I also know that my confidence never wavers. And I think that confidence, one, comes from experience, but two, just from the work.”
Part of Wilson’s problems was how often defenders were in his face last Sunday. Per Pro Football Focus, he was pressured on 19 of his 45 dropbacks and was hurried 13 times.
Much of that can attributed to the offensive line's rough outing. There might not be changes next week depending on Andrew Thomas’ status.
The left tackle didn’t practice Wednesday as part of his normal ramp-up and coach Brian Daboll said the hope is he’ll practice the next two days to determine if he’ll play Sunday. James Hudson started in Thomas’ place and per PFF, he allowed a team-high eight pressures in his Giants debut.
Receiver Malik Nabers also took blame saying Wednesday he left plays on the field that he knows he’s capable of making. But Wilson was more focused on what’s ahead, not looking back.
For now, that means preparing for the Cowboys and figuring out how to generate points, especially touchdowns. Both Wilson and Daboll said that means starting drives better on first and second down in addition to finishing them.
“I think that takes everybody, it takes all 11,” Daboll said. “So, players and coaches, just keep on improving. We've got to do a good job on early downs to make sure that we're keeping the defense in conflict as much as we can.”
If Wilson struggles again, the noise for Dart will get louder. Daboll said Dart will remain the backup and after practice, he goes through the same game script that Wilson does to build timing and chemistry with teammates.
During practice, though? Wilson still takes the bulk of first team reps. It helps him with his belief of stayed locked in on the present. That means thinking about how to beat the Cowboys, not wondering how long he’ll remain the Giants’ starting quarterback.
“It’s a 17-round fight and we gotta go win round two,” Wilson said. “That’s what’s important right now. When you’re boxing or fighting or playing, you can’t think about round 10 or round 15. You got to think about round two.”
Notes & quotes: Daboll said the Giants are still working on how long linebacker Micah McFadden will be out with his foot injury, so a roster decision hasn’t been made. McFadden is expected to miss a significant portion of the season starting with being ruled out Sunday . . . Nabers (back) was limited in practice and receiver Wan’Dale Robinson (ankle) didn’t practice but Daboll said both should be OK for Sunday. Linebacker Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles was also limited with a calf injury . . . Defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence wasn’t at practice because he and his wife Donna had their first child, a daughter.
Evan Barnes covers the Giants for Newsday. He previously covered the Brooklyn Nets, Memphis football and the Memphis Grizzlies and also covered prep sports in Los Angeles.
