Are Russell Wilson's days as an NFL starting QB over?

Yahoo Sports host Andrew Siciliano and senior NFL writer Frank Schwab discuss the Giants’ decision to move to Jaxson Dart as the team’s starting quarterback – and if the 10-time Pro Bowler and Super Bowl champion is still capable of being a number one signal caller in the NFL. Check out the full conversation on “Inside Coverage” – and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or wherever you listen.

Video Transcript

It’s the old, um, Mel Robbins let them, hey, let them do what they want to do.

I can only control my reaction, and it’s about attitude and gratitude.

A lot of that stuff I respect, but I also know that Russell, if you go back to last year with the Steelers and you include the playoff loss, he has lost 8 consecutive starts.

I know it’s a team game, but his team, the Steelers and Giants, have lost 8 consecutive games in which he was the starting quarterback.

Now, week two, he looked good.

He threw for 450, had a passer rating over 100.

Uh, he has played some good football in those eight starts, but I think it’s over.

So the question for you: will he?

I think he’s gonna play another game again.

But will he start another game again in the NFL, assuming Jackson Dart stays healthy?

And that’s the thing.

I, I, I’ll put the caveat that I don’t think a team voluntarily starts Russell Wilson.

They might be in a bind, like he might be a backup on somebody’s roster next year and the starter gets hurt or whatever happens.

And I don’t take any glee in this, Andrew, like, look, a lot of people roll their eyes at Russell Wilson, a lot of people, for lack of a better term, bully him, especially I think in the NFL media landscape, they he’s so easy kind of to make fun of, and I don’t want to do that.

Like I’m sure even what he said today, that’s genuinely Russell Wilson.

And we can say whatever we want, but he legitimately has written about this great story about this.

He legitimately has this positive attitude, which we all could use a little bit more of, let’s be honest.

I don’t fault him for that.

I don’t take any glee in the fact that Russell Wilson has played so poorly.

I like Russell Wilson.

I thought he was awesome with the Seahawks.

I don’t want to pile on him for some of the stuff we could call him corny or he does this or that, you roll your eyes.

He’s the best quarterback my alma mater is ever going to produce in the NFL, Wisconsin.

So I, I, I’ve been watching it for many, many years.

I don’t take, this isn’t a victory lap where I’m like, Wow, good, Russell Wilson’s getting benched.

I thought he should have been benched because I just think Jackson Dart is the better quarterback for the Giants now and in the future.

But yes, I just think the gas tank is on E for Russell Wilson, and that stinks.

It, it, he’s been such a fun player, such an exciting player, had that great, great run with the Seahawks, but I don’t see, like, I’m based in Colorado.

I saw it just deteriorate here in Denver.

It goes to the Steelers.

He has a couple of good games right away with the Steelers, but then it deteriorated there.

He just has nothing left for the Giants.

I, again, I don’t think he’s anybody’s voluntary starter the rest of his career.

He might get a start, he might play some games, but not because his team is like, yes, let’s start Russell Wilson week one.

I don’t think that’s ever gonna happen again.

Yeah, I think it would require an injury, and you know, there’s a headline here that says Russell Wilson won’t ask for his release, or ask to be traded.

That’s fine.

I’m curious if he’s gonna keep that stance if and when the inevitable quarterback injury around the league.

There’s already been what, five teams that needed a new starter.

Um, none of them out for the season with the possible exception of Burrow, but if there is a catastrophic injury somewhere else, I’m curious if a back channel conversation is had and Russell does ask for his release.

But at this point, no, it serves him no purpose to say release then that positive attitude actually gets flipped upside down and then he can be painted as the malcontent or somebody who is out of touch with the reality of not only his game but his future.

Are Russell Wilson’s days as an NFL starting QB over?

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