Over the course of his first year with the New York Giants, Russell Wilson lived through a head-coaching change, watched a rookie quarterback make his debut, found himself buried on the depth chart, and endured far more losses than expected. Now that the Giants have officially wrapped up their 2025 campaign, the veteran is set to hit free agency. It naturally raises the next question: Does Wilson plan to keep playing in 2026?

“I’m not blinking,” he said, as per SNY. “I know I’m capable of [playing]. And I want to be able to do that again and just be ready to rock and roll and be as healthy as possible and be ready to play ball.”

The veteran quarterback had signed a one-year, veteran minimum deal with the Giants this past offseason worth $10.5 million. It had many incentives had he played the entire season. Instead, the franchise also traded back into the first round to select Jaxson Dart that same offseason, and the rookie eventually overshadowed Wilson. While the then-head coach was adamant about having Wilson as a starter, a change was made after they went 0-3.

Dart took over from Week 4, and Wilson remained positive, helping the rookie develop.

In his six games with the Giants (three starts), Wilson threw for 831 yards with three touchdowns and three interceptions. But neither his benching nor the free agency has changed his mind about his career. He has consistently mentioned that playing deep into his career has always been the plan. Even back in 2017, when he was with the Seattle Seahawks, Wilson made his long-term intentions clear.

“I definitely wanna play until my mid-40s,” Wilson shared in 2017. “I think it’s something that I’ve been very passionate about, and taking care of my health and really trying to dive into the longevity now. I’m constantly getting work and getting stretched so that my body is super mobile and can maneuver really well.”

Fast forward to the 2025 season, and his optimism hasn’t changed one bit.

After being benched and sliding to QB3, Wilson appeared as a guest on CBS during the Giants’ bye week. And while speculation swirled about the 37-year-old possibly hanging up his cleats for a booth job, he made it clear he still believes he has plenty of football left.

“I threw for 450 yards and three touchdowns against Dallas. I can still flick it. I know I am capable of it,” Wilson reflected back at the Giants’ Week 2 game against the Dallas Cowboys, while also adding that he didn’t come to New York to sit in a booth.

“I came here because it was an opportunity to win. I wanted to win, and now, unfortunately, we haven’t been able to do that this year as a team. It’s been a tough year in that way.”

That’s been the constant theme whenever Wilson is asked about retirement. Still, with his contract now expiring and his future in New York uncertain, a decision looms. Whether it’s the Giants or another team, Wilson’s next opportunity will depend on who is willing to take the call.

Meanwhile, the veteran QB just revealed a major hidden injury that he endured during the earliest phase of the 2025 season.

Russell Wilson addressed his hamstring injury

Jaxson Dart closed out the Giants’ 2025 season and his rookie campaign with a 34-17 win over the Cowboys on Sunday. The rookie finished with 22-of-32 for 230 yards and two touchdowns. But just a day later, Russell Wilson revealed details about a hamstring injury he suffered before the Cowboys game, not in Week 18, but dating back to the Week 2 matchup.

He told reporters that he tore his hamstring before Week 2. “I played that [Week 2] game, you know, I tore my hamstring on Friday in practice — the last play of practice. And I had a grade two [tear]. I couldn’t tell anybody.

“I had to go and play on it just because I knew the circumstances. I actually ended up going to the Dallas Mavericks’ facility, training. I kept it quiet, just trying to get treatment on it and just knowing that I probably couldn’t run from the goal line to the 10-yard line if I wanted to.”

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Despite the injury, Wilson played through it. And that Cowboys game turned out to be his best performance in a Giants uniform.

He threw for 450 yards and three touchdowns, silencing critics, even though New York ultimately fell 40–37 in overtime.

After that, Wilson started again in Week 3 against the Kansas City Chiefs. But ahead of Week 4, the Giants benched him in favor of Dart. Now, with Wilson’s contract set to expire in March 2026, he is headed for free agency. Whether he plays in 2026, and if so, whether that’s in New York or elsewhere, remains an open question.