Training camp is always a barometer for the season ahead, and if Saturday’s performance was any indication, the New York Giants have every reason to feel confident—especially with veteran quarterback Russell Wilson at the helm.
In what’s becoming a trend, Wilson delivered another sharp outing on Saturday, completing 10 of 12 passes without a turnover. His only two incompletions came on his first and last throws. The highlight of the day was a jaw-dropping deep ball to Wan’Dale Robinson, who made the catch while falling onto his back—drawing cheers from both teammates and fans in attendance.
Head Coach Brian Daboll remained measured in his post-practice comments but didn’t shy away from acknowledging the veteran’s role:
“Russ has been great for our offense. Coming in here, he’s really stepped into that leadership role… I just can’t talk enough about how good of a leader he is to the young guys, to the vets, and bringing everybody together.”
That sentiment was echoed by offensive lineman Jon Runyan Jr., who has quickly developed chemistry with Wilson.
“He’s been awesome… extra offensive unit meetings, kind of really getting guys on the same page and seeing the game and the field how he sees it. He brings consistency, and that’s something we need around here.”
It’s no surprise the Giants have been adamant Wilson will be the starter when they open the season in Washington. He’s clearly outperformed Jameis Winston, rookie Jaxson Dart, and returning backup Tommy DeVito. While Dart has shown flashes, Wilson’s composure and efficiency remain unmatched among the group.
Iron Sharpening Iron: Runyan, Okereke, and a Rebuilt Trenches Mentality
One of the biggest storylines entering the 2025 season has been the offensive line’s progress—especially considering last year’s injury-riddled struggles. With Andrew Thomas still progressing and Evan Neal shifting to guard, cohesion has been critical.
Runyan Jr. reflected on the strides made since last year:
“Having that first year under our belt… we’ve had a full two offseason programs, two full training camps, and a full offseason with each other. Everybody’s super comfortable. It’s a great group of guys.”
The O-line has had its hands full going against one of the NFL’s most athletic and aggressive defensive fronts—led by Dexter Lawrence II, Kayvon Thibodeaux, and Brian Burns.
Inside linebacker Bobby Okereke, in his second year with the Giants, praised the offense’s growth:
“I go against those guys every day… they’re the engine of our offense. You see the way Malik Nabers catches the ball, Wan’Dale’s catching the ball, and they’re running 10-15 yards downfield to rally with their teammates. They’re building that mentality and demeanor.”
Okereke also commented on the defense’s transformation under new coordinator Shane Bowen:
“We got a lot of dynamic pieces… From the back end communication to the athleticism up front, we’re putting the building blocks together to be a very fearsome defense.”
Rookie Rising: Abdul Carter Turning Heads
Rookie linebacker Abdul Carter is quickly making a name for himself. Whether lined up inside, outside, or even at 3-tech, Carter has been explosive and disruptive.
“He’s just a dog football player,” Okereke said. “You put him anywhere and he’s going to make a play. His explosiveness and instincts stand out. He’s not tentative—he reacts and executes.”
Runyan also had praise:
“He’s got fantastic bend, unreal quicks and speed… When he gets inside, I think he’ll be able to cause a lot of havoc against guards.”
Red Zone Games, Competition, and Cam Skattebo Update
Saturday’s practice ended with a bit of fun and competition: a quarterback challenge where players had to hit the crossbar from 10 yards out. The prize? No walk-throughs for the rest of the day. Jameis Winston hit the mark—earning cheers from his teammates and a brief reprieve from the grind.
Running back Cam Skattebo, however, was not in attendance. Daboll clarified,
“He had a little bit of a setback yesterday and won’t do anything today. It’s day-by-day.”
Also sidelined: WR Darius Slayton, LB Ty Summers, CBs Cor’Dale Flott and Korie Black, LB Chauncey Golston, TE Thomas Fidone, and DL Jordon Riley.
The Giants continue to manage injuries with a focus on long-term availability. As Daboll noted,
“Continuity is great, but you have to prepare for injuries. Last year we had the most O-line injuries in the league. This year we’re hoping for health, but we’ll be ready regardless.”
Final Thoughts
As practices stack up, it’s becoming clearer where the Giants are headed. Wilson’s poise, the offensive line’s cohesion, the defense’s rising ceiling, and young standouts like Abdul Carter all point toward a team with the potential to outperform expectations in 2025.
Coach Daboll summed it up best:
“Right now, we’re focused on us. It’s very vanilla in preseason. But we’re stacking good days, and that’s what matters most.”
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