Russell Wilson is in line to become the new starting quarterback of the New York Giants, but it is fair to wonder if that role is guaranteed for the former Pro Bowl signal-caller.
On Tuesday, Wilson signed a one-year deal with the Giants worth up to $21M. He will receive $10.5 million guaranteed with a chance to earn millions more in incentives. While the money suggests New York views Wilson as a starter, the stage could be set for the 36-year-old to receive the Kirk Cousins treatment.
Though his contract is much larger and includes $100M in guaranteed money, Cousins appeared to have no competition for the starting job when he signed with the Atlanta Falcons last offseason. That was until the team made a stunning decision to trade up in the first round to select Michael Penix Jr. Cousins then struggled midway through the season and lost his job to the rookie.
Will the same happen with Wilson? There have been numerous reports that the Giants are still eyeing a quarterback — likely Shedeur Sanders — with the No. 3 overall pick in the draft. New York may view Sanders as a prospect who would benefit from spending time on the bench behind a proven veteran like Wilson. Even so, Cousins knows how difficult it can be to have a highly touted young quarterback looking over your shoulder.
Of course, there could be one significant difference with the Wilson situation. Cousins was blindsided when the Falcons drafted Penix. Even if the Giants plan to draft a quarterback third overall, they may have communicated that to Wilson. New York may have been the only team willing to offer Wilson a clear path to a starting job.
Wilson could have waited to see whether the Pittsburgh Steelers signed Aaron Rodgers, which hardly looks like a sure thing. However, it is unclear if the Giants gave Wilson a deadline if and when they realized they were out of the Rodgers sweepstakes.
Aside from returning to Pittsburgh, another viable option for Wilson would have been the Cleveland Browns. They have the No. 2 pick in the draft and could also take a quarterback so that Wilson would have had the same dilemma in Cleveland.
At this point in his career, Wilson knows he will have to win games to keep his job. There will be even more pressure to do so in New York if the Giants wind up with Sanders or another top quarterback prospect.
