- The New York Giants have benched veteran quarterback Russell Wilson for rookie Jaxson Dart after an 0-3 start.
- Dart faces a difficult upcoming schedule, including four games against 2024 playoff teams in his next five matchups.
- The Giants’ coaching staff and front office are under pressure, with their job security potentially tied to the rookie’s development.
The New York Giants made the inevitable decision to start rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart.
Should we be surprised? No. Is the timing questionable? Yes.
Russell Wilson cemented his status as the Giants’ bridge quarterback when he signed a one-year contract in March. Wilson’s subpar performance through three weeks combined with New York’s 0-3 start expedited the process.
Wilson’s 59% completion percentage ranks 27th among quarterbacks with at least 60 dropbacks and his 78.5 passer rating is last among NFC East starting quarterbacks. The 14-year veteran’s mystifying choice to throw the football away on fourth-and-goal in the fourth quarter during the Giants’ 22-9 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs might have sealed his fate.
‘We’re working through all the personnel decisions,’ Giants coach Brian Daboll answered when asked if Wilson would remain the starter after the team’s Week 3 defeat. ‘I’m not saying who’s starting or who’s not starting. I’m just saying we’re evaluating everything right now.’
Daboll and the Giants’ evaluation lasted less than 48 hours after the Giants’ Week 3 loss.
Word out of the Giants’ team facility is Dart’s been impressive in practice. He had some highlight throws during the preseason, and he played in six total snaps through the first three weeks of the season.
That’s enough of sample size for the Giants to hand the quarterback keys over to Dart.
However, don’t expect the Giants offense to catch fire with Dart under center.
The Giants entered the regular season with the NFL’s toughest strength of schedule.
Dart and the Giants host the 3-0 Los Angeles Chargers in Week 4. The Chargers have a top 10 total defense and rank fourth in points allowed. New York’s Week 5 opponent is against a winless New Orleans Saints team, who might consider starting their own rookie QB in Tyler Shough. But then the Giants return home to face the defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles in Week 6, travel to Denver to play a Broncos club that’s tied for a league-high in sacks in Week 7 and have another meeting versus the Eagles in Philly in Week 8.
Four of Dart’s next five games are against playoff teams from a season ago.
Tough sledding for a rookie quarterback. That’s not even mentioning the fact that the Giants have the NFL’s 21st ranked pass blocking grade (56.1), per Pro Football Focus.
The Giants had to start Dart at some point, though. Daboll owns an 18-35-1 record at the helm and general manager Joe Schoen is infamously known as the guy who let running back Saquon Barkley walk in free agency. Daboll and Schoen’s jobs are likely contingent upon Dart’s success and the team’s ability to make tangible improvement this season.
Both of which, though, will be difficult considering the state of the Giants’ roster and regular-season schedule.
Follow USA TODAY Sports’ Tyler Dragon on X @TheTylerDragon.