Giants, Russell Wilson meet to discuss potential deal that would bring an experienced QB to Big Blue
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson talks to reporters following an NFL wild-card playoff game against the Baltimore Ravens on Jan. 11 in Baltimore. Credit: AP/Stephanie Scarbrough
A simple glance at Russell Wilson’s Twitter feed showed the quarterback’s excitement looking ahead to his 14th season.
“Always fun ballin’! More to do!” Wilson posted at 11:56 a.m. Friday. The tweet was in response to a post from NFL Network’s show “Good Morning Football” sharing his Top 10 highlights.
The question is whether he sent that tweet while at the Giants' facility. Wilson visited the team Friday as the Giants attempted to woo him in-person for a second straight offseason.
Both sides met last year before Wilson signed with the Steelers. Despite being 36, he still has fans among the Giants, with receiver Darius Slayton praising Wilson’s arm talent and being a proven winner over his 13-year career.
“(Wilson) has played well in this league for a long time, played well last year for the Steelers,” Slayton said Thursday. "So clearly he still has gas in the tank.”
With the Giants seeking a veteran quarterback, age is just a number. Joe Flacco, who visited the team Thursday per league source, turned 40 in January.
Flacco started six games for the Colts last season, including a Week 17 loss to the Giants. The New Jersey native went 2-4 as a starter in his 17th season but he was named Comeback Player of the Year in 2023.
The Giants also saw Wilson up close last season in a Week 8 loss to the Steelers where Wilson went 20-for-28 for 278 yards and a touchdown pass.
Another thing the two quarterbacks have in common? They’ve won a Super Bowl, just like another Giants’ target in Aaron Rodgers, who’s kept teams glued to his radio silence.
Add in the Giants’ failed pursuit of Matthew Stafford and the front office clearly has eyes on quarterbacks with rings. It explains why Rodgers remains coveted despite the Jets releasing him this week or the Steelers looking to move on from Wilson.
Experience matters and the Giants need it to win now and help the quarterback they could potentially draft in April. That’s why a second visit with Wilson in two years is promising if there’s a stronger connection this time around.
“He’s been a really, really good player in this league for a really long time,” defensive coordinator Shane Bowen said of Wilson in October. “You go back, and even in 2023 in Denver, he's top 10 in just about every category for whatever that season was. He's done it a long time. He's seen everything.”
Giants add pair of free agents
The Giants agreed to terms with defensive tackle Jeremiah Ledbetter and linebacker Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles, a league source confirmed to Newsday. Ledbetter has played 53 games over six seasons, including 32 the last two seasons with the Jaguars, while Flannigan-Fowles spent the last five seasons with the 49ers, primarily on special teams.
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.
