Jaxson Dart Will Assume Starting Quarterback Role for the Giants
The question that has been hovering over the New York Giants since the 2025 NFL draft finally has an answer. Jaxson Dart, the young quarterback, will be the starter in Week 4 against the Los Angeles Chargers. The decision, announced after the team’s defeat and after coach Brian Daboll maintained uncertainty on Monday, marks a turning point for the franchise. Russell Wilson, who had been the starting quarterback, will become the substitute. This determination was foreseeable. Wilson would start until the Giants could no longer justify it. With the need for results, Daboll and general manager Joe Schoen were forced to give Dart a chance. The Giants, with a record of 0-3, are one of six winless teams. The pressure is on the coach and general manager, who have accumulated a 9-28 record since the start of the 2023 season. In 2025, the offense has produced less than 300 yards in two of the three games.These words resonate in the face of the possibility of another lost season. Poor results have driven the change to Dart, possibly the last card that Daboll and Schoen can play. In an ideal scenario, the Giants would have preferred to win enough games for Dart to have a “redshirt” season. However, reality forced this decision, even after the hope that Wilson and his leadership could improve performance. The loss against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 2 wasn’t enough to justify continuity. With four of the next six games against undefeated opponents, the pressure intensified on Schoen and Daboll, who decided that Dart was ready to take on the starting role. This decision was anticipated from the moment Dart was named Jameis Winston’s backup in Week 1. Dart proved to be ready during the summer and preseason. Dart has participated in six plays in the last two weeks, in special short-yardage and red-zone packages. Although he hasn’t thrown a pass in the NFL yet, that will change on Sunday. The choice of Dart is a clear reflection of the confidence in his potential. The Giants traded to select Dart, and he quickly positioned himself as the second quarterback ahead of Winston. His performance in the preseason increased the desire to see him as a starter. Wilson was never the Giants’ first choice. They tried to sign Matthew Stafford, considered Cam Ward, and waited for Aaron Rodgers, who ultimately chose the Pittsburgh Steelers. Wilson and Winston were the temporary options, and Wilson started from day one, until it was time for Dart. Despite Wilson’s good performance in terms of yards, his age and lack of mobility make him less effective. Dart, with his athleticism, offers a different dynamic to the offense, with run and pass options that could make the difference. Schoen and Daboll hope Dart will boost the offense and improve the team’s record. Dart’s immediate success could be crucial for the future of the coach and general manager.“I am aware of how many games we have won and, obviously, the results are not close to what we want,” Giants owner John Mara said last January. “They will have to improve if we want to advance to year five.”
John Mara, Giants owner
