Russell Wilson is determined to continue his NFL career despite being benched by the New York Giants, an insider has revealed to the Daily Mail.
Following their 0-3 start and Wilson’s performance against the Chiefs on Sunday, Brian Daboll has decided to start Jaxson Dart against the Chargers this weekend.
The decision casts a question mark over Wilson’s future despite only being three games into his Giants career – but it seems the 36-year-old has made up his mind.
A source close to the veteran quarterback has revealed to the Daily Mail that Wilson still sees himself as a starter and has no plans to walk away from the game.
The source said: ‘In the chance Russ doesn’t play for the Giants for the rest of the year, as he is being benched this upcoming week for Jaxson Dart, he will take it all with humility and be a team player.
‘This is not the way he wants to go out and he will look and work diligently to play for another team next year. He believes that he is still a starter in the league, and this benching will not define the end of his career.
Russell Wilson is determined to continue his NFL career despite being benched by the Giants
A source close to the veteran quarterback has revealed to the Daily Mail that Wilson still sees himself as a starter and has no plans to walk away from the game
‘He will support Jaxson, but just as much as things didn’t work in Denver, if that happens to be the case in New York, he will make sure that he is in another city and give himself another opportunity to give it one more go – to go out on his own terms.
‘He doesn’t want to retire and be finished after this season. If it is up to Russ, he will be playing somewhere next year, and he is convinced he would be a starter. He isn’t giving up,’ the source said.
Wilson, 36, struggled in the Giants’ last game, which saw them fall to 0-3 after Sunday night’s 22-9 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.
Head coach Daboll announced that, as a result Dart, a first-round pick out of Ole Miss, will start this Sunday against the unbeaten Los Angeles Chargers.
Wilson is expected to be the backup, while Jameis Winston remains the third option.
The Giants signed Wilson to a one-year, $10.5 million contract earlier this year after a brief stint with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
He joined a newly built quarterback room in New York, with Dart drafted to be the future of the franchise and Winston added as depth.
When asked Monday about his quarterback decision going forward, Daboll said the team was still ‘evaluating everything’ and declined to confirm Wilson’s status.
Rookie Jaxson Dart is set to start for the Giants when they take on the Los Angeles Chargers
The Giants signed Wilson to a one-year, $10.5 million contract earlier this year
‘We’re working through all the personnel decisions,’ Daboll told reporters. ‘I’m not saying who’s starting or who’s not starting.’
Wilson has attempted every pass for the Giants this season, with Dart only appearing briefly in select packages. Still, there has been growing pressure from fans to see the rookie take over, especially after Sunday’s performance.
Chants of ‘We want Dart!’ were heard at MetLife Stadium following Wilson’s second interception of the night.
The Giants now face a difficult stretch of games, with matchups against the Chargers, Eagles (twice), and Broncos in the next four weeks.
Whether Wilson plays again this season remains uncertain, but according to those close to him, he intends to be ready – whether in New York or elsewhere.
