Giants Slammed for $1.5 Million Quarterback Blunder: The Cost of Passing on Russell Wilson

The New York Giants’ decision to stick with Daniel Jones instead of bringing in Super Bowl-winning quarterback Russell Wilson may be one of the most consequential missteps of the franchise’s recent history. According to CBS Sports’ Dan Schneier, the Giants had the opportunity to sign Wilson for just $1.5 million in the offseason—an amount that would have been a fraction of what they’ve already committed to Jones. Schneier’s take on the situation is blunt: “I’m OK with any #Giants fan done with Schoen/Daboll because of the QB room alone.”

This harsh assessment stems from Jones’ ongoing struggles, particularly his inability to find the end zone consistently. In fact, a damning statistic from NFL on CBS shows that Jones has had issues with throwing touchdown passes for years, and his lack of progress in this area has only heightened the frustration surrounding the Giants’ offense. Meanwhile, Wilson, who was once a target for the Giants in free agency, is thriving in Pittsburgh, where he’s led a mini-resurgence. His recent performance against the Giants—during Pittsburgh’s 26-18 win in Week 8—was a stark reminder of what Big Blue passed on.

The Giants’ Missed Opportunity

Back in March, before free agency kicked off, Wilson met with the Giants to discuss a potential future in New York. But nothing materialized from those talks, and the Giants opted to stick with Jones, betting on the former No. 6 overall pick to live up to his potential under head coach Brian Daboll.

However, Schneier argues that the Giants should have been more aggressive in bringing Wilson aboard—particularly because Wilson was available for just $1.5 million if the Giants had guaranteed him a starting role. While it’s easy to say in hindsight, the argument that Wilson could have been the difference-maker for a Giants team struggling to find offensive consistency is compelling. Since joining the Pittsburgh Steelers, Wilson has gone 3-0 as their starting quarterback, posting a 114.9 passer rating in a Week 8 win over the Giants, where he outclassed Jones and showed the kind of big-play ability that has eluded the Giants’ passing game for years.

Wilson’s resurgence in Pittsburgh has included impressive statistics—specifically his ability to push the ball down the field. According to Pro Football Reference, Wilson averaged 8.9 air yards per completion in his most recent game, and Next Gen Stats ranked him 6th in total EPA (Expected Points Added) on throws of 20+ yards. That kind of vertical passing game is something the Giants have been sorely lacking since Jones took over as the starter in 2019.

Jones’ Continued Decline

As the Giants struggle to stay competitive in the NFC East, Jones’ decline has been a central factor in their offensive woes. After the team committed to Jones with a four-year, $160 million contract extension this past offseason, the hope was that the 26-year-old would take a leap forward under Daboll’s tutelage. Instead, Jones’ play has regressed, and calls for a benching have become louder, especially after a disappointing 20-17 loss to the Carolina Panthers in Week 10.

Daboll, however, has resisted the pressure to make a change at quarterback, maintaining that Jones is the team’s best option. This stance, though, may be starting to crack. After all, the Giants can’t afford to ignore the mounting evidence that Jones isn’t the long-term answer. If the offense continues to sputter, it’s only a matter of time before Daboll faces mounting pressure from ownership to make a change.

The Bigger Picture: Schoen and Daboll’s Gamble

The decision to pass on Wilson wasn’t just about the quarterback room; it also reflected broader strategic choices made by general manager Joe Schoen and head coach Brian Daboll. The Giants chose to invest heavily in Jones, while simultaneously passing on a proven commodity like Wilson. This is the same regime that also made the curious decision to prioritize a contract extension for running back Saquon Barkley over a long-term deal for Jones, even though Barkley has consistently been the most dynamic player on offense.

The rationale for sticking with Jones was likely based on the belief that he could eventually develop into a franchise quarterback under Daboll’s guidance. But the reality is that Jones has shown little in the way of consistent improvement, and his lack of success in finding the end zone is an indictment of both his individual play and the overall offensive scheme.

Now, the Giants find themselves in a difficult position. While there’s no magic fix to their quarterback conundrum, the team may have missed an opportunity to stabilize the position in 2023 by passing on Wilson. And as the season progresses, the pressure on Daboll and Schoen will only increase, particularly if Jones’ struggles continue.

Conclusion: A Franchise at a Crossroads

The Giants are at a crossroads. While it’s easy to look back and criticize the decision to pass on Wilson, the reality is that the organization’s inability to find consistent quarterback play has been a longstanding issue. Now, with the team’s future quarterback situation hanging in the balance, Schoen and Daboll have to make some tough calls. Whether that involves moving on from Jones or continuing to invest in his development is still up for debate.

But one thing is clear: the Giants’ failure to bring in Wilson—whether out of cost concerns or a misguided faith in Jones—may be one of the defining mistakes of this regime. And with the franchise’s future tied to the quarterback position, Schoen and Daboll may ultimately be judged on the legacy of this pivotal decision.