The New York Giants took an unorthodox approach to building the quarterback room this offseason, which at least through the early stages of training camp appears to be paying major dividends.
General manager Joe Schoen adopted a multi-pronged approach at quarterback over the past five months, signing veterans Jameis Winston and Russell Wilson in an effort to stabilize the quarterback room in the immediate future, with another eye trained on years down the line by trading up to select Jaxson Dart with the No. 25 overall pick in this spring’s NFL Draft.
According to Schoen, though, not every quarterback the Giants had interest in signing was willing to relocate to East Rutherford without some guarantees that New York wouldn’t be prioritizing a quarterback early in the draft.
“It’s one of those deals,” Schoen said, during a recent appearance on WFAN Radio. “We would not guarantee anybody that we wouldn’t draft a quarterback. There were a couple of people at that position in free agency that said, ‘Hey, if you don’t promise us you won’t take a quarterback in the first round, then don’t even entertain us.”
Ultimately, the Giants signed Winston, in all likelihood as veteran insurance, before inking Wilson to a one-year deal in hopes that his propensity for pushing the ball deep downfield would spark the offense, and redoubling their efforts at quarterback by choosing Dart.
“We’re not going to promise that,” Schoen explained. ” I don’t know who’s going to be there and we don’t know how the draft is going to unfold. I’m never going to (make) that promise and then break a promise … We shoot everyone straight.”
Initial returns from Wilson’s performance this spring and summer have been encouraging, even if there were other potential fits who wouldn’t commit to the Giants without Schoen and Co. committing to not selecting a quarterback, the Giants may have landed on an ideal combination for this season and perhaps beyond.
Ishika Samant | GettyNew York Giants quarterback Russell Wilson is already making a major impact on his teammates.
Since his arrival, Wilson is already making a significant impact on his teammates, and the culture throughout the building.
“When you talk about professional and people who go about their business the right way, that’s what Russ is.” Giants running back Tyrone Tracy recently told reporters. “Obviously, I’ve only been around him for a short amount of time. But he does everything like a professional. I know it seems cliché, but it’s the truth.
“You know, like I said, I’ve only been around him for a short period of time. But every time I’m around him, he’s in here doing something. He’s never just sitting around. Either he’s getting treatment or, talking about plays, or he’s talking to defenders about what they saw and how he can get better or whatever. Everything about him is really just being a true professional.”
Whether Wilson can recapture what helped him propel the Seattle Seahawks to a Super Bowl championship remains to be seen.
But, the 36-year-old Wilson is already forging a strong connection with deep-threat wide receiver Malik Nabers, offering a glimpse of what the Giants’ offense could become this season.
Perhaps more importantly, in a high-stakes season, Wilson is improving the culture for a franchise that boasts just one postseason appearance and one playoff victory since 2011.
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