Wilson vows to keep playing after Giants benching, eyes rebound in NFL career

NEW YORK — Russell Wilson intends to continue his NFL career despite being benched by the New York Giants, according to a source close to the veteran quarterback. The 36-year-old signaled early this season that he remains focused on contributing at a high level, even as the team has shifted to a younger plan amid a rough start.

The Giants, coming off a 22-9 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, opened the door for a potential QB change by naming rookie Jaxson Dart the starter for Sunday against the Los Angeles Chargers. Wilson would be the backup in that arrangement, with Jameis Winston listed as the third option on the depth chart as New York navigates its unsettled quarterback room. The decision comes after New York fell to 0-3 and drew questions about the direction of the franchise at the position.

A source close to Wilson told the Daily Mail that the veteran still views himself as a starter and has no intention of walking away from the game. The person emphasized that even if he does not play as a starter for the rest of the season, Wilson would remain a team player and would pursue another opportunity in the NFL next year if needed. The sentiment reflected a belief among those close to him that this benching will not define the end of his career and that Wilson would be prepared to compete for a starting job elsewhere if the Giants move in a different direction.

In the immediate term, the Giants’ decision to start Dart signals a long-term plan to develop the former Ole Miss standout while evaluating how Wilson fits into the club’s long-range goals. Daboll has repeatedly said the team is evaluating personnel decisions and would not publicly confirm who will start in any given game. Still, the move underscores a broader assessment of the quarterback room as New York looks to salvage a season that began on the wrong foot after a pair of costly practices and a rough performance against Kansas City.

Wilson, who joined the Giants on a one-year, $10.5 million contract earlier this season, is part of a reshaped quarterback room that included Dart drafted to be the future and Winston added as depth. The Giants acquired Wilson after a brief stint with the Pittsburgh Steelers, hoping his experience would stabilize a room in transition. The dynamic in New York is different from his Denver days, but the aim remains the same: win games and extend his career on his terms.

Daboll’s stance that personnel decisions are still under evaluation has left the door open for multiple outcomes, including Wilson returning to a backup role or stepping aside as the younger quarterback progresses. The coach did not indicate a timetable for a decision beyond Sunday, and fans at MetLife Stadium voiced their preference for Dart in a visible crowd response that included chants aimed at the rookie as Wilson’s interception tally grew in the game against Kansas City.

The next stretch of games presents a daunting slate: Chargers, Philadelphia twice, and Denver over the ensuing four weeks. While the immediate future remains uncertain for Wilson in New York, those close to him indicate he is determined to be ready to play—whether in New York or elsewhere—should another opportunity arise in 2025 or beyond. Wilson’s commitment, according to the familiar source, centers on continuing to compete and prove he can perform at a starter’s level for another NFL team if his path in New York does not extend beyond the current season.