Russell Wilson just revealed his shocking reason for joining the New York Giants, and it's not because they were the only team that expressed interest in the aging quarterback during the 2025 offseason. After one underwhelming season in Pittsburgh, all it took was one player to convince Wilson to come to New York... and he didn't even need to speak a word.
Wilson was one of the numerous professional athletes in attendance for Fanatics' "Fanatics Fest" over the weekend in New York. In a sit-down interview, the veteran quarterback revealed that it was merely the presence of Malik Nabers who convinced him to sign with the Giants.
"You know, I came here because of [Malik Nabers]," Wilson said during the interview. "Big reason, I really wanted to play with a guy that's special like him."
And what quarterback wouldn't want to play with Nabers? Wilson's praise for the talented young receiver continued. Wilson's reason for signing with the Giants echoes what he said weeks ago—that Nabers was a 'superstar' and it's why he chose to sign with New York.
"My locker is right next to this dude's" Wilson said to Nabers. "Best receiver in the league."
New York Giants' QB Russell Wilson finally has the true WR1 he's always desired in Malik Nabers
Russell Wilson has played with some impressive—and even underrated—wide receivers over the years. From early in his Seattle Seahawks tenure until now, Wilson leaned on weapons like Doug Baldwin and Tyler Lockett before the big-bodied DK Metcalf, and later Courtland Sutton in Denver.
But something he's never had was a bona fide number one wide receiver—one with no limitations who can be peppered with targets and by whom he can funnel the offense through. Wilson now officially has that in Malik Nabers.
Though Nabers is only entering his second NFL season, he's coming off a phenomenal rookie campaign in 2024 that said it all. In 15 games, Nabers raked in 109 receptions for 1,204 yards and seven touchdowns. Though drops were an issue as a rookie, Nabers more than makes up for his mishaps with a twitch and explosion to his game that most receivers can only dream of.
Nabers' effortless ability to get open allowed him to earn 11.3 targets per game as a 21-year-old rookie. And if he was able to put up those types of numbers with a pitiful combination of Daniel Jones, Drew Lock, and Tommy DeVito throwing him the football, how much more could he do with Russell Wilson?
Admittedly, Wilson isn't the same player who earned nine Pro Bowl appearances in his first 10 NFL seasons, and at 36 years old, it would be unwise to expect to see a different player than the one we saw for the Pittsburgh Steelers and Denver Broncos in recent years.
Still, Malik Nabers should help make Wilson's job with the New York Giants much easier. With a true WR1 to turn to, perhaps Wilson can make this offense more competitive in 2025. After all, there's only room to go up from here.