Russell Wilson Reveals Surprising Influence Behind Giants Decision: The Malik Nabers Connection You Didn’t Expect

He proved in his first season that he will get his yards no matter who the quarterback is. The question is: Who will throw to Nabers this year?

According to the 10-time Pro Bowler, though, it was the presence of wide receiver Malik Nabers that prompted Wilson to sign with the Giants.It is not going to be be easy for Wilson, but it will help to have Nabers.In his 10 seasons in Seattle, Wilson played with three 1,000-yard receivers in Tyler Lockett (2019, ’20, ’21), Doug Baldwin (2015, ’16) and DK Metcalf (2020). Metcalf caught 83 passes for 1,303 yards in Wilson’s next-to-last season in Seattle, the most receiving yards for a receiver with Wilson as his quarterback.Wilson is the favorite to start the season, but it won’t be a surprise if rookie Jaxson Dart takes over the starting job at some point. “I came here because of him,” Wilson said during the Fanatics Fest over the weekend, via Anthony Rivardo of Empire Sports Media. “I really wanted to play with someone who is special like him.”

Russell Wilson did not have many options in free agency. Russell Wilson’s off-season journey has been anything but straightforward. Limited choices in free agency? Check. Yet, what really tipped the scales for the 10-time Pro Bowler to join the Giants wasn’t just the team itself—it was the spark he saw in young wide receiver Malik Nabers. “I came here because of him,” Wilson said candidly at Fanatics Fest, spilling genuine admiration for Nabers’ talent. Now, having played alongside Seattle legends like Tyler Lockett and DK Metcalf—who posted eye-popping numbers—Wilson knows what a 1,000-yard receiver looks like. Nabers, flashing that kind of potential as a rookie despite a chaotic QB carousel, has proven he can rack up yards no matter who’s throwing the ball. But here’s the cliffhanger: with rookie Jaxson Dart and the seasoned Jameis Winston in the mix, who’s really going to be launching those passes? The pressure’s on Wilson to win that spot—early season matchups won’t give him any breathing room. Still, having Nabers around? That might just be the edge Wilson needs to stake his claim in Big Blue. LEARN MORENabers had 1,204 yards as a rookie despite missing two games and playing with three different starting quarterbacks.Wilson will have to beat out Jameis Winston and Dart in training camp, and then, if he does that, he will have pressure to win to keep the job. The Giants start the season at Washington and at Dallas before hosting the Chiefs and Chargers.