After a 0-3 start, the New York Giants are pivoting to rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart, head coach Brian Daboll announced this week, and moving away from veteran Russell Wilson.
Wilson had signed a one-year, $10.5 million deal this offseason, with incentives that could reach up to $20.5 million. He struggled in the season opener against the Washington Commanders, completing less than 50 percent of his passes, while averaging only 4.5 yards per attempt in a 21-6 loss.
Then there was an impressive outing against the Dallas Cowboys in a 40-37 overtime loss where Wilson had 450 passing yards and three touchdowns. Still, he threw a costly interception in overtime that cost the Giants as they fell to 0-2.
In Week 3, Wilson struggled again on Sunday Night Football, throwing for 160 yards and two interceptions while managing only 5 yards per attempt in New York’s 22-9 loss. Those performances prompted the Giants to make the switch to Dart, who has seen some playing time this season in situational packages utilizing him as a rushing threat.
Dart has been deemed the Giants future quarterback since being drafted in the first round in April. But is this move the best for his future?
It doesn’t help that the quarterback’s first start will be against the 3-0 Los Angeles Chargers, who have one of the best defenses in the NFL.
Coming into the NFL, Dart was seen as an enticing talent with a quality arm. But he needed time to develop, which is why the Giants signed Wilson and Jameis Winston earlier in the offseason. Starting Dart this early in the season is more of an indictment on the coaching staff’s fate than it is Dart’s readiness.
Heading into 2025, it was clear that it would be a make-or-break year for head coach Brian Daboll and general manager Joe Schoen. There had been constant regression since an unexpected playoff appearance in 2022, and owner John Mara’s patience had started to run out.
Since the Giants drafted Dart, it was expected the rookie would play at some point in 2025. After all, a rookie quarterback’s development usually extends the window for coaches. That seems to be the hope here, as growth from Dart throughout the season could potentially save Daboll’s job, even if the Giants struggle and have another sub-.500 season.
Dart could certainly impress early. But, he’ll face the Chargers, the Philadelphia Eagles, the Denver Broncos, and the San Francisco 49ers in four of his first five starts behind a below-average offensive line. Things don’t get much easier with the Green Bay Packers coming to town two weeks after that stretch. It’ll be a tough learning curve for Dart early on.
Benching Russell Wilson isn’t a bad decision, given how he’s played to start the year. But New York also had Jameis Winston available to play if they felt a spark was needed.
This all seems like a calculated move from Daboll, who made Dart the No. 2 quarterback to start the season over Winston and has now elevated the rookie to the starting job. We’ll see if it pays off.
