Former Seahawks and Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson has signed with the New York Giants—wait, what? The contract is for a total value of up to $21 million, with $10.5 million guaranteed. While his play has fallen off sharply, the Giants are betting on Wilson’s experience and calming presence. A few questions remain as to why this signing was needed, and how it will affect the team going forward.
Her showing has certainly plummeted over the last few years. His last full season saw him put up a 51.3 QBR with the Pittsburgh Steelers — good for 22nd overall among quarterbacks. To top it all off, his performance really fell off a cliff down the stretch, with a QBR of just 36 over the season’s final five games. What remains there is still capable of producing fantastic deep passes from time to time. His rosé-colored return is nothing compared to his peak from five years ago.
Perplexingly, the signing of Wilson makes little sense as it does next to nothing for the Giants’ long-term outlook. That said, critics say the investment in Wilson should have been better spent to build a competitive roster around him in the years to come. Wilson’s sack rates have been over 9% the last three years, with the last two seasons being well over 10%. Moreover, his tendency to throw short has increased, with 75% of his passes going fewer than 10 air yards last year.
Wilson's accuracy has suffered a decline. From 2016 to 2020, he boasted a plus-4% completion percentage over expectation, which has since dropped to minus-1% over the past four seasons. Seattle’s receivers leaving in free agency could’ve contributed to this sudden decline.
The decision to sign Wilson may signal the Giants' lack of confidence in Shedeur Sanders or their uncertainty about securing him with their No. 3 draft pick. This acquisition indicates a further strategic maneuver as the organization transitions with its quarterbacking situation.
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