Giants QB Russell Wilson's upcoming 200th start is a testament to his detail-oriented approach
Giants quarterback Russell Wilson calls signals against the Jets at MetLife Stadium on Aug. 16. Credit: Errol Anderson
Russell Wilson will join a small club of quarterbacks Sunday with his 200th career regular season start. He’ll treat it similar to the 199 before it -- stay consistent and expect excellence.
“It’s a blessing,” Wilson said Wednesday. “I think longevity. I think also, too, just little determination to have a plan. What’s my treatment. What time I’m waking up, what time you’re doing this. The consistency and obsession with that.”
Only 15 quarterbacks have started at least 200 games, including Eli Manning with 234. Big brother Peyton started 265 and Tom Brady is the all-time leader at 333.
For Wilson, part of reaching that mark comes from being detail-oriented and sticking to his routines as much as his talent and success. Receiver Darius Slayton called Wilson "disgustingly consistent" in terms of his preparation and positive energy around the team.
It’s carried over to how Wilson is preparing for the Commanders this week without changing how he handles his business.
“I know for me in Year 14, I feel like this is Year One. You embrace it all over again,” Wilson said. “I feel young, I feel vibrant, I feel just energetic. And I think it’s one, because I just have great confidence. Two, you work at it and three, most importantly, you got great people around you. That’s the part you love.”
That approach hasn’t worked out well in his last three seasons with the Broncos and Steelers. Wilson looked less like an elite starter and more like a quarterback in decline while going just 17-24.
It hasn’t shaken his confidence or how his Giants teammates have been inspired since his arrival. Receiver Malik Nabers said he changed some of his game-week routine to be more aligned with Wilson’s approach ahead.
It’s a different standard but one Nabers respects given how long Wilson’s played and the levels he reached winning a Super Bowl in 2014.
“It'll get us from trying to be cute going late to the game,” Nabers said. “Trying to get in the atmosphere early. Try to get your body prepared early so when you’re go out there, you’re not really cramping up or surprised about how fast we’re going.
“So I’m just going as he goes, following behind him.”
The Giants hope it works. They signed Wilson to not just be a professional but bring more wins and make this offense more productive. Sunday will see if his actions can match his words.
Wilson, though, isn’t feeling the pressure. As he plans for his first Giants start, it’s sticking to what he’s done before in terms of being consistent, getting his body right and treating it no different than any other week.
It’s helped him 199 times so far and Wilson’s confident it’ll help for a 200th time while getting himself and his teammates ready for a new season.
"I think the expectation is just doing this play right, doing this play well, and then letting those add up,” Wilson said. “When you look at it all at the end of the season, you're like, ‘Dang, that was pretty good.’ Hopefully. I think that's what we want to be able to do.”
Dart listed as backup QB on depth chart
Coach Brian Daboll didn’t elaborate on Jaxson Dart being listed as backup quarterback on Tuesday’s unofficial depth chart. Dart was listed as the third quarterback in preseason but was the second quarterback to take snaps in preseason games behind Wilson.
“All three quarterbacks are going to be ready to play,” Daboll said Wednesday.
It means Dart moves closer in line to step in if Wilson gets hurt or struggles. The rookie played well in all three preseason games but Daboll and general manager Joe Schoen reiterated last week that Wilson is the Giants’ starter.
Daboll did seem open to having packages for Dart in case he subbed him in for a play or two. That happened in the Giants’ second preseason game when Dart came in for Wilson, threw a 30-yard pass on one play, and was promptly subbed back out.
“Every situation, every year is different. We’ll see how it goes,” Daboll said.
Injury notes
Left tackle Andrew Thomas (foot) was the only player listed on the Giants' injury report. He was a limited participant in practice Wednesday. Tight end Theo Johnson was deemed “good to go” by Daboll and he was seen doing individual drills for the first time since the team’s second preseason game last month.
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.
