Throwing Darts: Giants name rookie QB Jaxson Dart starter for rest of 2025 season
Photo Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
“It’s my decision and we’re going with Jaxson [Dart].”
That is what New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll announced to the media on Wednesday. The rookie quarterback will take over starting duties from veteran Russell Wilson, hoping to light a spark in the 0-3 Giants.
Wilson signed a one-year, $10.5 million deal with the Giants this offseason, who were looking to find immediate and long-term answers at quarterback after they released former sixth-overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, Daniel Jones, on Nov. 22, 2024. Wilson was set to serve as the immediate answer to the Giants’ problems under center, bringing his 13 years of experience to MetLife Stadium.
While still in search of a long-term answer at QB, who could learn behind Wilson, Daboll and general manager Joe Schoen made a big splash late in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft. The Giants selected Dart with the 25th-overall pick after trading up with the Texans, sending a 2025 second-round pick, 2025 third-round pick, and a 2026 third-round pick the other way.
Dart was impressive in three seasons at Ole Miss. In 39 games, Dart threw for 10,617 yards and 72 touchdowns. He added 12 rushing touchdowns on 1,498 rushing yards during his time in Mississippi. During his senior year, the 22-year-old led FBS in yards per pass (10.8), yards per completion (15.5) and yards per game (329.2). He also led the SEC with 4,279 passing yards and a 69.3 completion percentage.
While Dart battled with Wilson and veteran QB Jameis Winston during training camp, the 10-time Pro Bowler Wilson was given the keys to Daboll’s offense. However, Dart showed his talent in the preseason.
In three preseason games, Dart had 32 completions on 47 pass attempts, 372 passing yards, three passing touchdowns and no interceptions. The native of Utah added 52 yards and a touchdown on six rush attempts. He finished the preseason with a 113.1 passer rating.
Wilson started the first three games of the regular season, producing a mixed bag of performances. In a 21-6 loss against the Washington Commanders in Week 1, Wilson was 17-for-37 with 168 passing yards. The 36-year-old was his team’s leading rusher with 44 yards. The Giants’ offense failed to score a touchdown in the loss.
Week 2 was a much different story. Vintage Wilson was on display against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. The one-time Super Bowl Champion was 30-for-41 with 450 passing yards and three passing touchdowns. Wilson threw two of his three touchdowns in the fourth quarter, a 15-minute period that saw the Giants and Cowboys combine for 41 points. Wilson found wide receiver Wan’Dale Robinson for a 32-yard score. Wilson gave the Giants the lead with 25 seconds left, finding receiver Malik Nabers with a 48-yard touchdown pass. However, late field goals in regulation and overtime gave the Cowboys a 40-37 win. Wilson’s costly interception late in overtime allowed the Cowboys to drive down the field for the winning field goal.
Week 3 marked the Giants’ home opener, a “Sunday Night Football” matchup with the Kansas City Chiefs. Wilson was 18-for-32 with 160 passing yards, two interceptions and no touchdowns. The Giants would lose 22-9, and just days later, Wilson would lose his starting job.
"We've had three games, haven't put it together all collectively and made the decision to play Jaxson," said Brian Daboll.
Daboll didn’t point the finger at Wilson for his team’s early struggles, and didn’t reveal the real reasons behind the QB switch.
Per reports, Daboll has long been a believer in Dart’s abilities, well before the Giants drafted him. Many scouts see aspects of 2024 AP NFL MVP Josh Allen in Dart, especially due to his size and running ability. Daboll was Allen’s offensive coordinator during his first four seasons with the Buffalo Bills.
"I expect him to prepare. We expect him to go out here and get better each time he plays," Daboll said about Dart. "It's not always going to be perfect, but I do think that he has the right makeup and athleticism, and look, we're going to do everything we can do to help him be the best player. I know he is as well. It's not just on one person, it's on the entire team, and that's what we're going to do."
“For me, I’m thankful for the opportunity,” said Jaxson Dart in his media availability on Wednesday. “I feel like I’ve worked hard and prepared, so I’m just excited to get out there on the field and execute the offense to the best of my abilities.”
While Dart has been in for minimal offensive snaps this season and hasn’t recorded a stat, Sunday’s home game against the 3-0 Los Angeles Chargers will mark his first career start.
For Wilson, this isn’t his first time being benched. The veteran was benched for the final two games of the 2023 campaign, his second and final season with the Denver Broncos. Wilson, who started 11 regular-season games and one playoff game for the Pittsburgh Steelers last season, is on his third team in four years after spending his first decade in the league starting for the Seattle Seahawks.
As expected, Wilson took his benching in stride. Wilson was seen visiting patients at Mount Sinai Kravis Children’s Hospital shortly after the news of his benching broke. Daboll announced that Wilson would back up Dart for the remainder of the season.
“I’m focused on helping this team win,” said Russell Wilson on Wednesday. “I’m focused on helping Jaxson; I’m focused on me getting ready to be the best version of me today, on Wednesday. I want to be here. I love this organization, I love the process of it all, I love the guys in the locker room, and I’m not giving up on us and this season.”
