After scoring 37 points in Week 2 with the offense seemingly firing on all cylinders, the New York Giants crashed back down to earth on Sunday night.
In their home opener against the defending AFC champion Kansas City Chiefs, Big Blue dropped to 0-3 for the first time since 2021, falling 22-9. While the defense looked sharp for most of the night, the offense once again sputtered. Russell Wilson couldn’t build on his 450-yard performance from a week ago, finishing with just 160 yards, no touchdowns, and two brutal interceptions.
Wilson’s struggles were so glaring that Giants fans at MetLife Stadium began chanting, “We want Dart!” Jaxson Dart did end up coming in for a few plays, but was essentially a non-factor. Both times he entered, the offense ran the ball out of run-pass option (RPO) looks. Still, with the fanbase growing louder in support of the former Ole Miss quarterback, one Giants veteran wasn’t having it.
Andrew Thomas stands by Russell Wilson as pressure builds
Speaking to reporters after the loss, left tackle Andrew Thomas, making his first start since Week 6 of last season after foot surgery, didn’t seem particularly thrilled about the boos aimed at Wilson or the crowd chants for Dart to take over.
"Just ignore it," Thomas told the media. "There's going to be controversy. I trust the coaching staff and the players. Whoever is out there, we want to support."
Related: Brian Daboll just took the first step toward a full-on Jaxson Dart controversy
It certainly sounded like Thomas, the No. 4 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, was frustrated by the fans' reactions. But it’s not like Wilson is some unproven backup. He’s a former Super Bowl champion, entering his 14th season, whether Giants fans like it or not.
Despite Thomas wanting to block out the noise from fans calling for Dart to take over as the starter, that move seems likely to happen sooner rather than later. At 0-3, the season for the G-Men already feels over, with three of their next five games coming against undefeated teams.
While Thomas wants to “ignore” the calls to bench Wilson and start Dart, a change at quarterback may be necessary to salvage what’s already shaping up to be a disastrous season.