The Giants, who stumbled to an 0-3 start, announced Jaxson Dart as the starter after Week 3. The move relegated Russell Wilson to a backup role just six months after he signed a one-year deal with New York.
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The decision that head coach Brian Daboll would now bank on a rookie quarterback fueled speculation about the future of Russell. The 36-year-old Super Bowl winner is in a bleak spot for sure.
The claim: Rumors spread online this week suggesting that Wilson had announced his retirement after being benched by the New York Giants in favor of Jaxson Dart. Some posts even implied that Wilson had “quietly walked away” from football after losing the starting job.
BREAKING: Giants QB Russell Wilson to retire from NFL mid-season after 14-year career. (via multiple sources) pic.twitter.com/rfq4tfpHZp
— NFL Drop (@TheNFLDrop) September 25, 2025
Verdict: The claim that Russell Wilson has retired is false. Wilson has not called it quits, nor has he indicated that he intends to retire. The chatter originated from a parody account that misrepresented his comments following the Giants’ quarterback change.
Wilson directly addressed that speculation during his midweek media availability. Far from hinting at retirement, Wilson stressed that he remains focused on football and helping his team.
“I’m not done,” Wilson said when asked about his future. He added that he is “focused on the now” and intends to support Dart while continuing to prepare himself as a competitor.
Wilson also reaffirmed his commitment to the Giants, saying he wants to be in New York and loves the process of competing, mentoring, and being in the locker room.
While Wilson had a good game in Week 2 against the Cowboys, his inconsistent play resurfaced in a Week 3 loss to the Chiefs, leading to growing frustration among fans. Daboll’s decision to hand the offense over to Dart was seen as both a move toward the future and a response to the team’s poor start.
Wilson has vowed to help develop the rookie while staying ready for his own opportunities. His social media activity, including a Bible verse post, also pointed toward faith and perseverance rather than any hint of a career-ending move.
