Summarize and humanize this content to 2000 words in 6 paragraphs in EnglishAfter a tumultuous hunt for a veteran quarterback, the New York Giants are finally on smoother waters. They landed both the 36-year-old Russell Wilson and the 31-year-old Jameis Winston in the last week to join Tommy DeVito in their quarterback room.And the Giants might not be done yet with the position as the 2025 NFL draft looms. But for now, Giants fans can breathe a sigh of relief knowing that at least someone is going to be playing the position next year.Wilson arrives after a year in Pittsburgh, and one person who knows what that season was like better than most is The Athletic’s Steelers reporter Mike DeFabo. We reached out to him to provide insight into just what the Wilson experience might be like for the Giants.Carroll: The “Giants country, … Let’s ride” taglines are already flowing. But what’s the Wilson experience like?DeFabo: One question from Wilson’s introductory press conference was a good snapshot into Mr. Unlimited. He was asked about Aaron Rodgers dragging out the game of QB musical chairs and, somehow, through a meandering answer in which he named about half of his Steelers teammates, he ended up talking about Miles Killebrew, a special teams player. That’s Russ. In press conferences, he can feel more like a politician than a quarterback. He’s an eternal optimist unlike any I’ve ever met and will try to put a positive spin on any situation. Even after the Steelers lost four games at the end of the regular season and limped into the playoffs, he raced up to defensive co-captain Cameron Heyward on the field and was telling him, “We can do this!” That was fine when the Steelers were doing well. It wasn’t as well-received when they went into a tailspin.That said, after covering Wilson for an entire season, I came to gain a greater appreciation for him as a person. Every Tuesday, for example, he visited a children’s hospital in Pittsburgh. That meant a lot to those kids, even if Wilson didn’t win a playoff game. Yes, he can be a bit — dare I say it — corny at times. But when you really think about how many awful scandals other NFL players have been involved in, I think DangerRuss sometimes takes too much heat for his personality.Carroll: I’m glad you brought up the press conference because I think that was the first sign that things are changing in New York. Daniel Jones was a respected teammate and was always good about his media sessions and doing what was required. But the energy between Wilson and Jones is just different. Nothing bad about that at all but just a noticeable distinction. Let’s combine that with the memes floating around about the personalities of this year’s quarterback room. And well, New York, or let’s say frankly any team in the league hasn’t had this meshing of quarterback star power and personalities in some time! Based on what you saw this season in Pittsburgh, how do you think Wilson will fit in New York?DeFabo: In the city itself, I think Wilson will fit in great. He’s already been spotted at a Knicks game. It wouldn’t surprise me to see him throwing out the first pitch at a Yankees game or going to a Broadway show. Last year, he regularly took the linemen out to dinners in Pittsburgh. I’m sure he and Ciara, his wife, are going to love all that New York City has to offer.On the field? Look, he was 6-1 through his first seven games and at one point he was playing so well people were talking about Mike Tomlin for Coach of the Year. The biggest positive is that he absolutely can still throw the moon ball, which has been a staple of his game from the very beginning. Supported by the NFL’s highest-paid defense in Pittsburgh and a commitment to running the ball, that was enough for a while.The problems for the Steelers started cropping up when Wilson’s best deep threat, George Pickens, went down with a hamstring injury and opponents started game planning with two-high looks to take away deep shots. In his younger days, Wilson would use his excellent mobility to turn those plays into four- and five-yard scrambles. Now, his wheels aren’t the same and those often turn into throwaways or sacks. The Giants’ offensive tackles had better get ready for a QB who wants to hold the ball. Steelers left tackle Dan Moore Jr. gave up the most sacks in the league (12) last season and right tackle Broderick Jones was tied for the second-most allowed (11), according to PFF.
Honored to be a Giant. 🫡🏈💙@Giants https://t.co/jAft7Ude7b
— Russell Wilson (@DangeRussWilson) March 27, 2025Carroll: The Giants caught the Steelers in Wilson’s second start of the year. It didn’t end well for New York with a 26-18 defeat. But when asked about what stood out from that matchup, Wilson highlighted how Pro Bowl defensive lineman Dexter Lawrence was chasing after him. Wilson said, “I’m glad he’s chasing after the other quarterbacks.” Wilson was sacked four times in that matchup. So watching from afar, that switch from things going so smoothly to the dropoff of the final five games is fascinating. Was there anything else that happened in those five straight defeats (including the playoff) to warrant the downturn and how concerning should that be?DeFabo: In addition to what I said in the last question about teams scheming to take away the deep ball and sacks becoming more and more problematic, I think what happened to Wilson is the same thing that’s going to happen if the Steelers get Aaron Rodgers. It’s not like perennial Pro Bowl quarterbacks lose their super powers overnight. Instead, the aging process gives us glimpses of why these quarterbacks were great before also showing us that they’re no longer in their prime. I’d expect Wilson to have a number of pretty good games, some average ones and then some tough ones when he looks his age. It’s just part of what you’re signing up for when you choose a QB in the later stages of his career.Carroll: That’s why I feel more comfortable about the dual approach of signing two veteran quarterbacks, rather than just relying on Winston or Wilson alone. I trust Wilson to get through a full season more than I do Winston (who hadn’t played a full season slate since 2019). But combined, I think this tactic offers the Giants a bit of leeway and an option if things really go south with Wilson. There’s the draft, which we’ll get to, but this is on the assumption that Wilson ends up the starter this season. And in his opening press conference, that’s Wilson’s expectation too, with the veteran saying, “I expect to be the starter and come in here and be ready to rock and roll every day. This team is really looking for somebody to lead them in every way.” But I want to go back to what you said about Wilson’s ability to still throw the moon ball. Because that’s the talk of the town when pairing Wilson with a dynamic receiver like Malik Nabers, who broke records as rookie last season. How did that benefit the Steelers and what’s to be weary of when thinking about it?DeFabo: Pairing Wilson (one of the NFL’s best deep-ball throwers) with Pickens (one of the best deep threats) was an electric combination. It seemed like every time the Steelers were in trouble and couldn’t get the offense moving, Wilson would bomb it deep and all at once Pittsburgh was driving. The problem for the Steelers, who were inefficient running the football and didn’t have a legitimate WR2, is that the deep ball became the sole source of offense too often.In “Hard Knocks,” a Ravens’ defensive analyst put it well when he said that Wilson’s game is all about three-pointers and layups. If he’s not throwing deep, it’s going to be a check down or a sack.Carroll: What this Giants offense will look like with that addition to its arsenal is interesting, given the quarterback position is the only one that underwent real change. All other 10 starters will be back. The pieces are for now the same, but obviously there will be competition in training camp and the draft is still to come. Which brings us to potentially the most important “what if” to the dynamic. The Giants hold the No. 3 pick along with three Day 2 selections. No one yet knows how those plans will shake up, but quarterback should still be a focus. Wilson is signed for just one season and Winston only two years, so clearly the future is calling. How did Wilson get along with Justin Fields, and how do you think Wilson would handle a rookie QB in the position room?DeFabo: When the Steelers created their unique QB dynamic last offseason, one of the first things that Tomlin said was that Fields was looking forward to learning from a 13-year veteran. It’s hard to know what the dynamic was like behind closed doors, but from my observations, it seemed like Wilson and Fields both handled an awkward situation about as well as they could have. When Wilson was injured the first six weeks of the season, he’d routinely snap balls to Fields. He didn’t have to do that. That’s just one little example. Wilson also talked publicly about how he feels an obligation to pay it forward to younger QBs, especially quarterbacks of color.Now, if Wilson starts playing poorly and fans start clamoring for the young guy, maybe he’s not as gracious as a mentor. But I can’t imagine any serious friction in Year 1 and think Wilson would mostly embrace a leadership role.Carroll: Wilson already said this team is looking for somebody to lead them! But I do think Wilson is here more for the opportunity to play and win, rather than spend the next 10 months as a rookie QB whisperer. Which is fine. That’s not his job, and there’s plenty of Giants coaches on staff who will be tasked with that in a more official capacity. As Wilson said, “I think the first thing is you always handle yourself first. Get yourself prepared at the highest level and control what you can control. Part of that is doing everything I can to be my best every day. Then from there, from leading in that sense, everybody else grows with you from that.”The hope is that this Giants team will grow with Wilson, Winston and whoever else might end up in this QB room.(Photo of Russell Wilson: Joe Sargent / Getty Images)
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