The New York Giants will begin a new era on Sunday when rookie Jaxson Dart makes his official debut as their starting quarterback.
Head coach Brian Daboll made the switch from veteran Russell Wilson this week after the team got off to another 0-3 start.
That leaves Wilson as the primary backup going forward, a job he hasn’t really ever held in his long, storied NFL career. There is speculation now that the 10-time Pro Bowler could be a trade candidate as many teams around he league are experiencing quarterback depth issues.
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo report that Wilson is expected to emerge as a trade candidate ahead of the November 4 trade deadline.
Wilson is expected to emerge as a trade candidate prior to the deadline on Nov. 4, the target of a QB-needy team in need of a veteran, according to sources around the league.
Wilson joins Atlanta Falcons backup Kirk Cousins as the top quarterback options potentially available if a team needs a long-term starter as quarterback injuries do happen.
The Giants have veteran Jameis Winston on a two-year deal to back Dart up, so Wilson, who started the first three games of the season after being signed in free agency this past March, is suddenly expendable.
Wilson handled the benching like a pro and appears to be ready for the next chapter in his career, whether that be here or somewhere else.
“I think for me personally, I’m not done,” Wilson told reporters this week after Daboll announced the switch at quarterback. “I’ve got so much belief in myself and know what I’m capable of. I believe I was able to show it, especially on the road in Dallas and everything else. I know that can help this football team if that comes up. But I think also, too, just for me, mentally, just have the best practice. Have the best workout session in the morning, early in the morning, getting here and having the same routine, and just find every single way to get better.
“That’s what you can control. You control your attitude, you control your gratitude. And those two things are important to me because I love the game, I love the process, and I respect it. That’s the only thing I know. I think the last thing I’d say about it is just life is about response. I went to the children’s hospital on Tuesday. When you go and you see kids fighting for something that is maybe outside of what they can handle at times, it gives you a lot of perspective. For me, it’s about life, it’s about response. I just know I’m going to respond in every way, in the right way, every day. That’s all I know.”
Dart will be given a long leash here, as Daboll’s and almost everyone in the front office’s futures depend on him being successful. Wilson has faith that Dart will come in and save the franchise.
“I think he’s going to be a great player,” said Wilson. “I think he’s competitive. I think he’s smart. He works hard at it. He does a really good job of just taking things in in terms of experiences and thoughts. He asks good questions and all that, and we give him all the answers we’ve got and everything else. I just think that he’s engaged in the moment, and whatever it takes to help him and help us win. I think that really the important part is us focused on trying to get a win against the L.A. Chargers.”
There are plenty of teams needing help at quarterback right now. Wilson believes he can help one of them out.
“I know I’m a winner. I know my mentality of what that looks like. I know having the championship mentality. Winners don’t pick and choose. Leaders don’t pick and choose when they want to lead and when they want to help and communicate like a winner or whatever that may be. Those are the things that I know, and I can control. So that’s what I’m focused on.”
This article originally appeared on Giants Wire: New York Giants’ Russell Wilson expected to emerge as trade candidate
