Above all else, Russell Wilson’s leadership has impressed many around the New York Giants community since his first day in East Rutherford, New Jersey, and the veteran quarterback continued that trend by praising forgotten tight end and cut candidate Daniel Bellinger for the job he’s done at training camp.
“[Bellinger] has done a great job,” Wilson told reporters on August 6, unprovoked. “He’s so consistent, he’s like Mr. Consistent.”
“That’s what you want in a tight end,” the former Super Bowl champion added. “You know where he’s gonna be. You know he can make plays for you.”
In typical Wilson fashion, the team leader then went down the line, making sure he didn’t leave anyone out with minor compliments for fellow veteran tight ends Greg Dulcich and Chris Manhertz. The Bellinger vote of confidence felt more genuine, though, as if the former fourth-round pick has truly impressed his new signal-caller at training camp.
Daniel Bellinger Appears to Have New Life at Giants Training Camp Ahead of Roster Cuts
GettyNew York Giants tight end Daniel Bellinger working at training camp.
Heading into the Giants’ 2025 offseason, Bellinger was a popular cut candidate around NFL sites. After starting 11 games in 2022 as a rookie and recording 30 catches for 268 yards and 2 touchdowns, Bellinger has regressed in every season since.
The NYG front office also seemingly replaced him in 2023 and 2024, first trading for Darren Waller before drafting Theo Johnson as the new pass-catching tight end last year. On top of that, Big Blue signed the aforementioned Manhertz to be the new No. 1 blocking TE. Suddenly, Bellinger was relegated to third-string in 2024, registering just 14 catches for 125 yards.
With rookie draft pick Thomas Fidone entering the fold this spring and players like Dulcich joining the roster, there was reason to believe that Bellinger could be the odd man out at the cutdown. However, Wilson’s words carry weight.
If the new quarterback in town likes what Bellinger brings to the table, there’s a real shot that the fourth-year pro sticks around as the third tight end.
After all, Fidone could end up redshirting his rookie season despite flashing a bit at OTAs. And there is no one more experienced and better-equipped for the TE3 role in head coach Brian Daboll’s offense than Bellinger.
Russell Wilson Says Theo Johnson Has Been ‘Showing Up’ in the Past Several Practices
Before he talked up Bellinger, Wilson highlighted his starting tight end, Johnson, who has made a lot of progress in recent days.
“I think Theo [Johnson] has been really showing up the past several days in particular,” the Giants QB said. “I think he’s done a tremendous job of — you know… his ability to get down the field vertically has been really good. He’s done that a few times.”
Continuing: “Obviously, you saw the big touchdown crosser he ran today. Just his speed down the field, he’s made some really big plays over the past four or five practices.”
A lot is expected of Johnson in year two, as many have already pegged him as a breakout candidate playing with Wilson. And so far, the Johnson-Wilson connection has been building.
Popular “Giants Nation Show” podcaster and NYG reporter Bobby Skinner relayed a list of Wilson’s top camp connections through the air in terms of completions, and Johnson was third behind wide receiver Malik Nabers (25) and running back Tyrone Tracy Jr. (14). The TE1 has caught 10 passes from Wilson as of August 6, per Skinner.
For the record, that’s three more than wide receivers Darius Slayton, Wan’Dale Robinson and Jalin Hyatt (7 each). Notably, Bellinger was next behind that trio of wideouts with 6 catches from Wilson, including 2 touchdowns.
On Johnson, Wilson concluded that “being really intentional with him in particular has been cool to see.”
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