Jaxson Dart Named Giants Starting QB After Russell Wilson Benched

Rookie QB Jaxson Dart takes over New York Giants offense as Brian Daboll makes bold move following 0-3 start.

Arun UpadhayaySeptember 23, 2025

83,405 2 minutes read

East Rutherford, September 23 EST: The Giants’ gamble with Russell Wilson lasted all of three games. Three lifeless, joyless Sundays that left MetLife flat and the standings even flatter. And now? It’s the kid’s turn. Jaxson Dart yes, the rookie from Ole Miss with the fearless arm and the wild streak is getting the keys.

A Veteran’s Fade, A Rookie’s Rise

We all wanted to believe Wilson still had some magic left. The nine-time Pro Bowler, the man who once scrambled Seattle to a title, the guy who swore Denver was just a bad fit. But let’s be honest: what we’ve seen in blue and white has been… hard. Missed throws, happy feet in the pocket, drives that die before they even start. Through three weeks, he’s looked like a ghost of the player he used to be.

And against the Chiefs? Brutal. The Giants punted, stumbled, and watched Patrick Mahomes toy with them. By the fourth quarter, it wasn’t about the scoreboard anymore. It was about body language. Wilson’s slumped shoulders told you the whole story: this experiment had run its course.

Enter The Kid

Now the huddle belongs to Dart. Third-rounder. Twenty-two years old. A cannon for a right arm and just enough moxie to think he can make every throw. And maybe that’s exactly what the Giants need right now: a little bit of reckless belief.

Don’t mistake this for a long-term coronation. Rookies flame out as quickly as they flash. But Dart showed in August that he can rip it downfield and keep a defense honest. He doesn’t scare easily. In preseason, you saw him take a hit, pop back up, and fire another shot like nothing happened. That matters. That juice has been missing.

Wilson, The Backup

For Wilson, this has to sting. After Denver cut ties, this was supposed to be his redemption arc. Instead, it’s a benching in Week 4. Harsh, yes. But fair? Absolutely. The NFL doesn’t wait for sentiment. You produce, or you sit. Simple as that.

The Giants will keep him in uniform, clipboard in hand, maybe ready if Dart drowns. But make no mistake: this isn’t a rotation. This is a changing of the guard, even if Daboll won’t say it out loud.

Daboll’s Gamble

And let’s talk about Daboll here. This isn’t just about the quarterback. This is about survival. The man won Coach of the Year in 2022. Now, with his team staring at 0-3, the whispers are back. Has the league figured him out? Has the magic dried up?

He had to do something bold. He had to light a fire. So he’s rolling the dice on Dart, because losing quietly with Wilson wasn’t an option anymore.

Sunday in L.A.

Here’s the setup: Chargers on deck. A defense that bleeds yards but punishes quarterbacks with Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack breathing down your neck. It’s a baptism by fire. The kid will get hit. He’ll throw something wild. He might even hand one over to the other team. But he’ll also give this offense a chance to breathe again, to stretch the field, to believe in something new.

For a fan base that’s had little to cheer about since 2016, that’s worth the risk.

So here we are. The Russell Wilson era in New York is already a footnote. The Jaxson Dart era? It begins now. Buckle up.

New Jersey Times Is Your Source: The Latest In Politics, Entertainment, Business, Breaking News, And Other News. Please Follow Us On Facebook, Instagram, And Twitter To Receive Instantaneous Updates. Also Do Checkout Our Telegram Channel @Njtdotcom For Latest Updates.

Arun Upadhayay

Website | + posts

A former college-level cricketer and lifelong sports enthusiast, Arun Upadhayay brings the heart of an athlete to the sharp eye of a journalist. With firsthand experience in competitive sports and a deep understanding of team dynamics, Arun covers everything from grassroots tournaments to high-stakes international showdowns. His reporting blends field-level grit with analytical precision, making him a trusted voice for sports fans across New Jersey and beyond.

Jaxson Dart Named Giants Starting QB After Russell Wilson Benched