Wilson’s on-field play hasn’t been as consistent over recent seasons. He finished under the 3,600-yard passing mark in each of the past four years and struggled down the stretch in Pittsburgh last year, generating 193.6 passing yards per game with 3.6 sacks per tilt and an 88.9 passer rating as the Steelers went 0-5 in his final five starts.
The Giants’ brass has stuck with the plan to begin the season with Wilson under center, even as rookie Jaxson Dart shined in the preseason.
If Wilson can recapture his Seahawks heyday, it could be a boon for Slayton as the field-stretching target in the Giants offense. Wilson is known for having one of the prettiest deep balls in the NFL, and Slayton was asked what it was like catching a Wilson moonball compared to others.
“I’d say it’s like catching a beach ball,” he said. “It feels like you can’t miss because wherever you’re running, it doesn’t feel like you’re running to the ball, it feels like the ball is flying to you if that makes sense. You just run and kind of ‘poof’ right there so it’s pretty nice.”
On paper, the Giants offense should be improved after last year’s quarterback debacle.
Ultimately, whether Wilson is able to keep Dart on the bench will depend on how the season unfolds. If Wilson starts hot, the Giants will allow the rookie to learn from the sideline as long as they can. With a tough opening slate — starting with division games at Washington and Dallas before hosting the Chiefs and Chargers — an 0-4 start could bring an early-season QB change.
