Russell Wilson has been a pro since the day he walked into 1925 Giants Drive.

That wasn't going to change just because his job title did.

The 10-time Pro Bowler and Super Bowl champion was relieved of his starting duties on Tuesday morning. Coach Brian Daboll made the decision to go with rookie Jaxson Dart following a 0-3 start to the season.

"I thank God every day I get to do what I love to do and play this game with guys that I love and enjoy and being around the locker room, the teammates," Wilson said following his first practice as the Giants' new backup. "We've had three tough games, obviously close ones in fashion and three really good teams. We didn't get it done. We felt like that Dallas game was a special one in particular. We felt like we could have won, but we didn't. I think at the end of the day, for me right now, I think it's really about the team, really about helping Jaxson the best I possibly can."

No one expected otherwise from Wilson, who wears a captain patch on one side of his chest and his Walter Payton Man of the Year insignia on the other.

"You control your attitude; you control your gratitude," Wilson said. "And those two things are important to me because I love the game, I love the process, and I respect it. That's the only thing I know. I think the last thing I'd say about it is just life is about response. I went to the children's hospital on Tuesday. When you go and you see kids fighting for something that is maybe outside of what they can handle at times, it gives you a lot of perspective. For me, it's about life, it's about response. I just know I'm going to respond in every way, in the right way, every day. That's all I know."

In the 2025 season opener, Wilson became just the fourth quarterback in NFL history to start all of his first 200 games. His first was in his NFL debut on Sept. 9, 2012.

The rookie third-round draft pick worked his way up the depth chart and started the Seahawks' opener on the road against the Cardinals. Seattle took a lead midway through the fourth quarter but ultimately fell by four points. However, Wilson went on to post an 11-5 record that season as the Seahawks made it to the second round of the playoffs.

Wilson recalls the importance of the advice he received from veterans that year. And he wants to keep paying it forward to Dart.

"I remember coming in as a young rookie and looking for help and looking for answers and stuff like that," Wilson said. "I just told [Dart], I've got your back, and whatever I can help you with and help him get prepared the best he can possibly get prepared. I know that matters because I've lived it and I've experienced it."

His main advice is to prepare.

"I've always said separation is preparation," Wilson said. "Just getting prepared and helping with that in every way, whatever he needs, and the thought process of that and the study habits and just the little details on the cutups of the film, whatever I can help with. I think go out and enjoy the moment. I remember my rookie year. I remember playing in Arizona, my first game. It was a tough game. I remember the next game played against the Dallas Cowboys at home. We won, and that was a good game. I just remember that there's highs and lows in it, but just staying poised and believing in yourself."

Wilson added: "I think he's going to be a great player. I think he's competitive. I think he's smart. He works hard at it. He does a really good job of just taking things in, in terms of experiences and thoughts. He asks good questions and all that, and we give him all the answers we've got and everything else. I just think that he's engaged in the moment, and whatever it takes to help him and help us win. I think that really the important part is us focused on trying to get a win against the L.A. Chargers."

While reflecting on his journey, Wilson made one thing clear.

"I'm focused on helping this team win," he said. "I'm focused on helping Jaxson. I'm focused on me getting ready to be the best version of me today on Wednesday. I want to be here. I love this organization. I love the process of it all, I love the guys in the locker room. I'm not giving up on us in this season.

"I just don't know any other thought, any other thing, than finding a way through. Sometimes you've got to climb under the wall. Sometimes you've got to fight through it. Sometimes there are battles and things that you face in life or in sport. I'm going to help lead the way in every way I can to make sure that we figure that out. The best thing we can do, though, is stay in great belief, in faith of who we are. I think that a few plays here and there, you know, the season's a little bit different. I'm not discouraged about our football team. I'm not discouraged about myself, that's for sure."