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Russell Wilson’s chances of earning his full Giants contract are slim, and the way it was structured says a lot about the deal

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Wendell Ferreira | Last updated Mar 28, 2025 12:28 PM ET

Russell Wilson agreed to a one-year contract with the New York Giants up to $21 million. But it's completely unrealistic to think that the quarterback can get the full amount, and even something close to it.

The base value is $10.5 million, and the rest is achievable via incentives based on playing time, individual performance, and team success. The details have been reported by Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer.

The deal was specifically put in place for the incentives to be non-likely to be earned. That means Wilson didn't get those numbers in 2024, and the amount of money doesn't hit the cap in 2025—if Wilson gets them, the incentives will hit the cap in 2026.

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Russell Wilson had a 95.6 passer rating, 63.7% completion percentage, 16 touchdown passes, and 2,482 passing yards in 2024 for the Pittsburgh Steelers. So the Giants carefully established the incentives at 96.0 passer rating, 64% completion percentage, 20 touchdown passes, and 2,500 passing yards.

But more relevant than that, there are $3 million available via team wins. For Wilson to make every penny of his $21 million contract, the Giants would have to go 17-0, win two playoff games, and Wilson would have to be on the field for at least 50% of the snaps in every game, 55% total in the regular season, reaching those individual thresholds mentioned above.

It's obviously unrealistic to expect that Russell Wilson will be able to earn everything, but it allows the quarterback to get more than the base value of $10.5 million. Check out the details below.

Base value - $10.5 million

$8 million signing bonus (fully guaranteed)
$2 million base salary (fully guaranteed)
$500k workout bonus

Play-time incentives - up to $2.5 million

$500k if he plays 65% of the snaps
Or $1.5 million if he plays 75% of the snaps
Or $2.5 million if he plays 85% of the snaps

Performance incentives - up to $2.5 million

$500k for a passer rating above 96.0
$500k for 64% completion percentage
$500k for throwing 20 touchdown passes + passer rating over 88.0
$250k for throwing 30 touchdown passes + passer rating over 88.0
$500k for throwing for 2,500 yards + passer rating over 88.0
$250k for throwing for 3,500 yards + passer rating over 88.0

Playoff incentives - up to $2.5 million

$750k if he plays 55% of the snaps + Giants make the playoffs
$1.5 million if he plays 75% of the snaps + Giants make the playoffs
Extra $500k if he plays 55% of the snaps + Giants win a playoff game
Extra $500k if he plays 55% of the snaps + Giants win multiple playoff games

Team-based incentives - up to $3 million

$176.470.59 for every game the Giants win and he plays 50% of the snaps

Even though Russell Wilson certainly lost much of his value over the past three years, it was still a team-friendly deal for the Giants. Spotrac was projecting a two-year, $77.46 million deal for the veteran, $38.7 million on yearly average. So an incentive-heavy deal with a $10.5 million cap hit in 2025 is a fine contract that won't affect what the Giants can do elsewhere.

Throughout 13 seasons in the NFL, Russell Wilson has made $305.36 million in career earnings.

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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