Brian Daboll is playing the Jaxson Dart card earlier than expected
When the 2025 NFL schedule was announced, one of the major storylines was the difficult slate the New York Giants faced in the season ahead.
A sub-part to that storyline? When the door would open for rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart to start ahead of veteran Russell Wilson.
With the Giants facing the toughest schedule in the league — according to 2024 winning percentages — and opening up with a difficult set of games, including a home date with the Kansas City Chiefs, it was hard to point to when head coach Brian Daboll would be comfortable turning to the rookie.
However, that day has arrived, and earlier than expected.
After a loss Sunday night to the Chiefs, which dropped the Giants to 0-3, Daboll did not confirm his quarterback plans when speaking to the media on Monday. Tuesday, Daboll did confirm those plans, informing both quarterbacks that when the Giants take the field in Week 4 at home against the Los Angeles Chargers, it will be Dart under center.
Wilson’s sub-par play against the Chiefs, particularly late in the game, may have forced Daboll’s hand.
With the Giants trailing 22-9 late in the game, they faced a 1st-and-goal at the Kansas City 4-yard line with just over two minutes remaining. On first down, Wilson, under pressure, simply threw the ball out of the back of the end zone.
A penalty on that play pushed the Giants back to the Kansas City 14-yard line. After a quarterback draw on second down picked up four yards, the Giants faced 3rd-and-goal from the 10.
On fourth down, Wilson again sailed a pass high and off target, appearing to be yet another throwaway in a situation that called for a bare minimum of aggression. After the loss, Wilson said the ball “sailed” on him.
“Just tried to give (Theo Johnson) a chance and the ball just kind of sailed on me trying to get it to him,” said Wilson. “That was unfortunate.”
Wilson finished the night completing just 18-of-32 passes for 160 yards with two interceptions.
And Giants fans clamoring for today’s announcement.
Now the Giants turn to Dart with Dabol, under increasing pressure to keep his job, forced to turn to the rookie perhaps earlier than many expected. And the schedule remains as daunting as it was when the slate was originally announced. After facing the 3-0 Chargers this weekend at home, New York heads to New Orleans to take on the 0-3 Saints, perhaps a reprieve for the young QB.
Following that game? The Giants face the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 7, the Denver Broncos and their imposing defense in Week 8, and then the Eagles again in Week 9.
Not exactly the easiest path for a rookie.
But given Wilson’s play on Sunday, Daboll was running out of options.
