The start to the season hasn’t been what the New York Giants expected. With a 0-2 record after painful losses to Washington and Dallas, fans are already demanding changes in the organization, starting with Russell Wilson. But, amid the storm, the 14-year veteran says he’s “embracing the noise.”
Wilson’s arrival at the Giants seemed to mark a change of direction for the player and the team. After difficult stints with the Denver Broncos and Pittsburgh Steelers, the Super Bowl XLVIII champion was looking for a team that would give him one last shot at the playoffs.
New York, for its part, was looking for stability under center, after six years in which Daniel Jones couldn’t give them a single full season. The poor start, however, has brought harsh criticism and demands from fans to bench Wilson to give rookie Jaxson Dart a chance. However, the veteran isn’t worried.
Wilson answered the “call”
After the disastrous 21-6 loss to the Commanders in Week 1, Wilson came out determined to turn the narrative around against the Cowboys this week, and he succeeded, at least in part. Wilson threw for 450 yards and three touchdowns, but a mistake cost the Giants a 40-37 overtime loss.
In a postgame press conference, Wilson dismissed the idea that the calls to bench him were affecting him, saying, on the contrary, “I embraced the noise. I don’t run from it. And we have to keep answering the call.”
He admitted that they didn’t do enough to win this Sunday, but stressed the importance of staying together as a team, “finding a way to win the game.” He highlighted the effort of his teammates, saying, “They laid it all on the line. You can’t ask for any more effort, love, passion, energy, and work than we just gave.”
What’s in store for the Giants this season?
Despite Wilson’s confidence, the road won’t be easy. Just next week, the Giants host the Kansas City Chiefs, who will be eager to reverse the losing streak that has them in their first 0-2 start in more than 10 years.
They’ll complete the first third of the season by hosting the Los Angeles Chargers, visiting the New Orleans Saints, and hosting the reigning NFL champion Philadelphia Eagles. If Wilson wants to regain the fans’ trust and, in the process, keep his job, he’ll have to play like he did in his prime.
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