The New York Giants handed Russell Wilson the keys this offseason. They didn’t ask him to be the long-term answer. They just needed him to steer the ship in the right direction. With an offense led by head coach Brian Daboll and offensive coordinator Mike Kafka, and a retooled offense around him, Wilson walked into what looked like a relatively low-pressure, high-upside opportunity.
Now that Pro Football Focus has dropped its latest quarterback rankings heading into the 2025 season, that assumption is getting tested. John Kosko slotted Wilson all the way down at No. 27, which landed him in Tier 5 — the bucket labeled “veterans capable of solid play but could be quickly replaced.”
It’s a fair assessment. The G-Men drafted Jaxson Dart in the first round for a reason. No one is saying Wilson needs to turn back the clock and be something he's not — he just needs to be a reliable starter. But if Kosko’s right, the window for Wilson to hold down this job could be much tighter than anyone realized.
Jaxson Dart’s presence makes Russell Wilson's margin for error even thinner
Kosko’s full analysis spells it out:
“Now 36, he [Wilson] no longer has the mobility that once defined his game, and that limits his ceiling. He still grades well and posted a 79.5 overall mark in 2024, but he struggles to generate the efficiency needed to sustain a high-level offense. With the Giants selecting Jaxson Dart in the first round, head coach Brian Daboll may not hesitate to turn to the rookie if Wilson can’t deliver wins early in the season.”
That sentiment should stick with Giants fans. It reflects the reality that New York didn’t just draft Dart for the future. They drafted him for flexibility. If Wilson doesn’t start the year sharp or if the offense stalls, the leash could be just a few games long. The likelihood of Wilson struggling early is there. Their schedule is a perceived nightmare and one they're expected to struggle through.
So Dart should stay ready. He's pretty raw, but he’s athletic, confident, and already showing early signs of chemistry with the roster... even if some of those signs come unconventionally.
The pressure on Daboll isn’t something to sweep under the rug. Another slow start could snowball, and another tumultuous season could lead to some real uncomfortable conversations real fast. That’s why this quarterback room matters more than ever. There’s experience at the top, talent waiting behind it, and very little margin for error.
Wilson can still prove he’s got another run in him. He’s respected around the league and familiar with playing under pressure. But the days of him being untouchable are long gone. The Giants gave themselves options this year, and they aren’t afraid to use them. With Dart already turning heads behind the scenes, it’s no longer about what Wilson has done — it’s about what he does next.