Giants' Russell Wilson getting familiar with New York, new teammates
Giants quarterback Russell Wilson, left, with his wife Ciara, looks towards Chris Rock during the second half of an NBA game between the L.A. Clippers and the Knicks on March 26 at Madison Square Garden. Credit: AP/Adam Hunger
It’s been just under one month since Russell Wilson signed with the Giants, but the quarterback has quickly acclimated himself to the team and his new home.
Wilson has had throwing sessions with several teammates in San Diego and Atlanta, and on Saturday, he and his wife, Ciara, were courtside at Madison Square Garden for the Knicks’ Game 1 playoff victory over the Pistons.
Wilson also hugged Knicks guard Jalen Brunson postgame, a nod of respect from one New York superstar to the next high-profile one.
“I’ve gotten to know Brunson over the last couple of years,” Wilson said on Monday after the Giants reported for the first day of offseason workouts. “Just a talented player, man. I just have a ton of respect for his game.”
The good spirits remained high with Wilson and other Giants newcomers meeting their teammates. Coach Brian Daboll asked Wilson and fellow quarterback Jameis Winston to introduce themselves by speaking in front of the offense.
For Wilson, the speech was about laying a foundation for what he and the Giants want to accomplish, while putting last season’s 3-14 campaign behind them.
“It’s really early in the process but they understand what leadership is,” Daboll said of his new signal-callers. “They’ve done it in a number of places and I expect them to do that here.”
The Giants have a busy week ahead with Thursday being the first round of the NFL Draft. There’s still mystery over who they’ll take with the No. 3 pick and Daboll was tight-lipped on what the team gleaned from having final private workouts with players last week. Monday, however, was about bringing the established team together for the first time.
Before that, Wilson took the initiative, gathering with receivers Darius Slayton, Wan’Dale Robinson and second-year tight end Theo Johnson. Last month, Wilson singled out the Giants’ pass catchers by name with praise and belief in their potential. Words turned to actions as he got to know them better while developing chemistry and timing on the field.
“From the very first interaction with him, you could tell the guy knows a lot of ball,” Johnson said. “The biggest takeaway for me was just his passion. He loves football and every aspect of the game, which is infectious and something that he’s going to infect in our locker room.”
Wilson’s sense of recall also carried over to the defense. He joked with new safety Jevon Holland about the lone time they met in 2023 with Wilson on the Broncos and Holland on the Dolphins.
Wilson remembered Holland forcing two of his three forced fumbles that day by punching the ball from receivers. Holland, in turn, reflected on that game being a full-circle moment from growing up in the Bay Area and watching Wilson’s Seahawks face off often against the 49ers.
“I see him in the locker room. He knows my face, which is cool, and I know his face,” Holland said. “I say, what’s up and ready to get this thing started. But, yeah, it was cool playing against him [two years ago].”
Holland and the Dolphins won that game, 70-20, but now both are glad to be teammates and getting to know each other more.
“He’s a talented guy, Holland is,” Wilson said. “I think he’s made a lot of plays. We’re excited to have him on the team.”
The Giants could say the same. Time will tell who they add on Thursday to join Wilson, Holland or cornerback Paulson Adebo as a high-priced arrival this offseason.
For now, Wilson is enjoying the benefits of being new to the city, whether that’s attending playoff games at the Garden or building connections with the Giants.
Wilson said: “The most important part to the offseason is the bond and the relationships and how fast can we put all those pieces together in an effective way to be as effective as possible come Sundays.”
Notes & quotes: Johnson (foot) and safety Tyler Nubin (ankle) are continuing to rehab after surgeries following season-ending injuries. Neither gave a timeline for their return, but Johnson participated in the throwing sessions with Wilson.
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.
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