The New York Giants have ended their experiment with a veteran, reportedly naming rookie
Jaxson Dart as their starting quarterback for the crucial Week 4 game against the undefeated
Los Angeles Chargers. The move, as reported by AP sources, comes as a swift and desperate
reaction to their terrible start of 0-3 and the loud “We want Dart!” chants from Giants fans at
MetLife Stadium. This is not just a move from one quarterback to another; this is a borderline
reckless decision by Head Coach Brian Daboll and General Manager Joe Schoen, who are
gambling their own jobs on the immediate success of their first-round draft choice.
The Bench for the Veteran Starter
Dart’s promotion indicates Super Bowl-winning veteran Russell Wilson is headed to the bench
just three weeks into his role as the Giants’ stopgap starter. Although Wilson achieved
respectable yardage in some games, his overall play was inconsistent, and his turnovers did not
give the offense any juice. After a poor performance against the Kansas City Chiefs, Coach
Daboll said the staff was “evaluating everything,” which usually implies a quick and obvious
change is coming. The decision to hand over the keys to the offense to a rookie who has not
attempted a pass in an NFL game—having only played a couple snaps and rushed the ball
twice—is evidence that the organization has accepted the 2025 season already was in a
tailspin, and the only direction is to attempt to prepare for the future.
A Baptism by Fire Against the Chargers
The rookie quarterback is in for a harsh baptism in his first game. Dart will lead the Giants in a
game against the Los Angeles Chargers, who come into the game unbeaten and have a top ten
defense against passing yards. This is not the typical nice, easy lift a team prefers when they
put their quarterback of the future into the starting role. The pressure on Dart will be extreme;
they’ll expect him to play well, but will want him to bring back the “spark” and “swagger” the
entire offensive unit has not had. The coaches will rely on his dual-threat capability—a skill he
exhibited in a big way at Ole Miss, establishing single-season records for the university when he
threw for and had over 4,200 passing yards—to create opportunities and be able to extend
plays when the protection breaks down.
Fan Hype vs. NFL Reality
The fan reaction has been a volatile mix of elated relief and nervous anxiety. Giants fans have
sung Dart’s praises since before the season began, when he showcased his potential by
completing over 68% of his passes with 3 touchdowns and no interceptions. Nevertheless,
many former athletes and analysts have warned against such a move. Their position is that
placing a rookie behind an inconsistent offensive line and expecting him to solve a team’s
fundamental issues – like their ineffectiveness on 3rd down – is absolutely foolish. Dart was an
outstanding college player, but the stress of immediate responsibility with high expectations
could risk his long-term efficacy. The sentiment conveyed by the former professionals is that the
Giants’ front office is currently more interested in placating the fandom, and perhaps saving their
own job, than they are developing their most prized asset with consideration for their long-term
development. Now, the 2025 season – and possibly the continuity of the coaching staff – sits
squarely on the right arm and youthful athleticism of Jaxson Dart.