Starting QB odds: Wilson set for Giants' job, but who will Saints choose?

Most NFL teams enter training camp with a clear Week 1 starter, but a few squads begin with quarterback battles. We already outlined the Browns' signal-caller situation, so let's dive into the Giants' and Saints' passers.

Giants starting QB odds

🏈 Check out the odds on theScore Bet here (available in Ontario only)

After a disastrous stint with the Broncos, Russell Wilson embarked on a redemption tour in Pittsburgh that yielded mixed results. Wilson replaced Justin Fields in late October, and the Steelers won six of their next seven games. The Super Bowl champ had some vintage performances, carrying the offense against lackluster defenses.

However, Wilson cooled off when the competition heated up. Pittsburgh lost its final five contests against elite challengers, including a playoff loss to the Ravens. The Steelers moved on from Wilson after one year, which landed the former Seahawks star in New York.

Wilson is a huge favorite (-900) to line up under center in Week 1, and head coach Brian Daboll confirmed he's already made a decision.

"These guys will be out here competing, but Russ is the starter," Daboll said at Wednesday's first training camp practice.

The Giants' signing of Wilson made sense, considering they needed a veteran signal-caller to improve their quarterback situation. But the club then drafted Jaxson Dart in the first round.

There's enough evidence suggesting Wilson can't lead an average-at-best roster to the playoffs, especially if he's behind a flailing offensive line. Why would New York provide Wilson a long leash when it used first-round capital on a quarterback?

Despite Daboll's comments, if either Dart or Jameis Winston outplays Wilson throughout training camp and the preseason, the team could elect for a different option for the opener.

Winston has bounced around as a backup, with his most recent stints on the Browns and Saints. While he's one of the most eclectic personalities in the sport, Winston is a reckless quarterback. One play, he'll deliver a 45-yard strike into his receiver's hands. The next play, he'll throw an unfathomable pick-6. That's exciting, but it doesn't lead to winning football.

Giants owner John Mara has indicated that his general manager, Joe Schoen, and head coach don't have secure positions. Although New York is unlikely to make the playoffs, Daboll and Schoen need to convince their owner that they're worth keeping around. Allowing Dart to showcase his potential as a franchise quarterback and properly develop him as the season progresses might prevent Mara from making a change.

Wilson would have to suffer an injury or an all-time meltdown in camp to lose the starting job, but he'll have as short a leash as almost any quarterback in the NFL. If losses start piling up early, expect the Giants to give Dart a chance to prove himself and potentially save his coach's job.

Saints starting QB odds

🏈 Check out the odds on theScore Bet here (available in Ontario only)

The Saints are in complete rebuild mode, as first-year head coach Kellen Moore doesn't have much to work with under center. Going from calling plays with Jalen Hurts at quarterback to working with Tyler Shough is like trading in a Maserati for a Prius.

New Orleans used a 2025 second-round pick on Shough, and he's the favorite to earn first-team reps because there isn't much competition in the quarterback room. However, Shough isn't a highly regarded prospect after making three stops in seven collegiate seasons and playing only one full year.

Spencer Rattler has a chance to earn the starting job in his second season with the Saints. He played in seven games last campaign, throwing more interceptions than touchdowns. While he struggled with accuracy, Rattler also displayed his impressive arm strength.

Shough will likely be the Week 1 starter, but New Orleans has nothing to lose by shuffling through quarterbacks.

Sam Oshtry is a sports writer at theScore. You can follow him on X @soshtry for more betting coverage.

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