Brian Daboll needs to bench Russell Wilson and start Jaxson Dart to have any chance of saving Giants job
Jaxson Dart is waiting patiently to take center stage for the New York Giants.
The rookie quarterback remains behind Russell Wilson, despite the veteran's shambolic Week 1 outing.
Wilson went 17/37 passing for 168 yards in the 21-6 season-opening loss to the Washington Commanders.
The Giants failed to score a touchdown, and their 36-year-old QB was particularly ineffective under pressure, completing just 2/12 passes for 26 yards with two sacks.
New York, even with a weapon like Malik Nabers -- who appeared frustrated on the sidelines throughout -- had just 231 yards of total offense.
Even before the first game of the 2025 NFL season had concluded, fans and analysts alike had seen enough from Wilson, who looks unlikely to hit his massive contract incentives.
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Many took to social media to call for rookie Dart to get his shot -- as early as Week 2.
Even head coach Brian Daboll was initially noncommittal on Wilson retaining the job.
He has since confirmed 'Russ will be the starter' against the Dallas Cowboys.
But talkSPORT's Senior US Writer Brian T. Smith, and Will Gavin, host of The NFL Show, believe the only way Daboll can keep his job is by taking a chance on Dart.
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Giants must start rookie QB to save season
"They are going nowhere with Russell Wilson, the season is already over with Russell Wilson. It's only a matter of time until Dart takes over," NFL expert Smith said.
"The only question is, when does that happen? Brian Daboll should have lost his job last year. Joe Schoen, GM, should have lost his job.
"They've got one shot. You know how you keep your job in New York City? You find your rookie quarterback, franchise quarterback. You win six or seven games? You have hope."
"You watched the preseason games: Jaxson Dart is confident, he's smooth, he has swagger," Smith added.
"He plays really well, he's not turning the ball over and he continues to impress the Giants.
"So naturally, he starts to become the guy. I wouldn't be surprised, at all, if Jaxson Dart is starting in Week 3 or Week 4.
"I don't see any way Russell Wilson, at this point in his career, takes the Giants to that next big step.
"That next big step is nine wins, 10 wins. He's got one year to do it -- really, five or six games to do it -- it's not happening."
Gavin echoed the thoughts of Smith, and suggested Dart will be New York's new 'hero'.
"I really think this is set up for Jaxson Dart," he explained.
"He's going to come in… he's going to be the savoir. He's going to carry them to around a six or seven week win record, and New York will have found their new hero."
"Maybe, he could be a franchise star for them."
What are Dart's weaknesses as an NFL rookie?
While Smith and Gavin both agreed that Dart is the future of the Giants franchise, they did note that he will undoubtedly make some mistakes in his rookie season.
"The obvious issues with Jaxson Dart: Not great under pressure, particularly up the middle. They are going to have to be quite 'grip it and rip it' -- get the ball out quickly," Gavin explained.
"But I want to see him start, I want to see him develop."
Smith then added: "He's going to get picked off, he'll try to squeeze in throws.
Hope is what Dart could offer the Giants after a dismal Week 1 performance.
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Wilson will start against the Cowboys, but if he can't lead New York to victory over America's Team, then Daboll must pull the trigger on Dart -- because the Giants' season, and his job, depends on it.
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