What are Russell Wilson's options after Giants QB's latest benching?

The New York Giants have seen enough from Russell Wilson after just three games, and the veteran quarterback is now left with a decision.

Giants head coach Brian Daboll reportedly informed the team on Tuesday that rookie first-round pick Jaxson Dart will start in Week 4 against the Los Angeles Chargers. That means Wilson is headed to the bench, and the 36-year-old's options will be limited going forward.

Wilson signed a one-year, $10.5M contract with the Giants in March that is fully guaranteed. New York was the only team willing to offer him a clear path to a starting job, though Wilson was not able to hang onto it for very long.

So where does Wilson go from here? Let's take a look.

Accept a job as the No. 2 quarterback with the Giants

The most likely outcome for Wilson is that he will remain with the Giants as a backup. Daboll reportedly views him as the No. 2 quarterback behind Dart, at least for Week 4. That means Wilson is still an injury away from being thrust back into action. The Giants could also turn back to Wilson at some point if Dart does not appear to be ready.

Wilson is still getting paid decent money, even if he will now be holding a clipboard. He has now been benched by the Giants, Pittsburgh Steelers and Denver Broncos since the Seattle Seahawks moved on from him following the 2021 season. Those situations had to have been difficult for Wilson, but all indications are that he remained a good teammate. He may do the same in New York and ride out the season.

Ask to be traded or released

Several teams are dealing with injuries to their starting quarterbacks. Joe Burrow is expected to miss at least three months with a toe injury. The Cincinnati Bengals reportedly did not explore the veteran QB market after Burrow went down, but that was before their Week 3 blowout loss and before Wilson was benched.

Bengals backup QB Jake Browning has thrown five interceptions since taking over for Burrow in Week 2. He completed just 19 of 27 passes for 140 yards, a touchdown and two interceptions in Sunday's 48-10 loss to the Minnesota Vikings. Even with the poor performance, however, the Bengals may not view Wilson as much of an upgrade.

Other starting quarterbacks who missed Week 3 with injuries include Brock Purdy, Jayden Daniels, J.J. McCarthy and Justin Fields. If any of their respective teams were to show interest in Wilson, the 10-time Pro Bowl selection could ask the Giants to trade or cut him.

Retirement

Wilson has had a difficult time convincing teams that he is still worthy of being a starter since he left Denver two seasons ago. His play with the Steelers and Giants did nothing to prove that he is capable of playing at a high level and leading a team on a deep postseason run.

If Wilson believes New York is done with him and there is no interest in him around the league, he may simply decide it is time to call it a career. It is unlikely that he would walk away from the remainder of his salary, but it would hardly be a surprise if 2025 winds up being his last NFL season.