New York Giants quarterback Russell Wilson speaks during a news conference following an NFL football game (Credit: AP)
The New York Giants have benched former Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson, which is bad news for Pittsburgh, the 2026 NFL Draft capital. Wilson had to play until at least Week 7 for the Steelers to receive their fourth-round pick, according to compensatory pick expert Nick Korte. However, because of his benching, there is a genuine risk that Pittsburgh’s compensatory selection could drop all the way to the sixth round unless he plays more than 40% of snaps in 2025.
With the selections of G Willie Colon, CB William Gay, LB Vince Williams, and one of the best wide receivers in team history, Hines Ward, Pittsburgh is no stranger to making excellent compensatory selections.
Wilson’s benching undoubtedly put a massive kink in Pittsburgh’s draft plans, but the Steelers still have a few significant compensation picks to count on, such as a potential third-round pick from losing OT Dan Moore Jr. and a fourth-round pick from losing quarterback Justin Fields.
While Dart, the 25th pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, grew in the background, Wilson was expected to hold down the fort and sign a one-year, $10.5 million contract this offseason. Wilson was the team’s starter, while Daboll held first despite Dart’s outstanding preseason. Wilson’s faith rapidly declined as he completed 59.1% of his passes and recorded a 78.5 passer rating through three weeks, both of which are on track to be career lows. Coach BrianDaboll only had to witness that to decide to remove Wilson.
Wilson’s immediate future with the Giants is uncertain, according to CBS Sports NFL insider Jonathan Jones, but Jones also notes that “he could be a trade piece for a quarterback-needy team ahead of the Nov. 4 trade deadline.”