Let’s put it simply: Russell Wilson looked awful in his New York Giants’ debut. The pressure was on for the 10-time Pro Bowler to make an immediate statement, and he failed to deliver. Wilson completed just 46% of his passes for 168 passing yards in the 21-6 defeat, and logged a dismal 59.3 passer rating.
His connections with Malik Nabers and Wan’Dale Robinson showed glimpses of potential, but not much else gave Giants fans a reason to be excited. And with first-round rookie Jaxson Dart waiting in the wings, after ranking New York 29th in his latest power rankings, NFL Spin Zone’s Lou Scataglia thinks Brian Daboll might soon be faced with a Sophie’s Choice.
“Is there already a QB controversy for the New York Giants?,” Scataglia wrote. “A bad loss in Week 1 has the Giants left with an obvious decision; yes, it’s Week 1, but it might already be time for the team to send Russell Wilson to the bench."
Jaxson Dart’s moment could come sooner than Giants fans realize
Since New York drafted the strong-armed signal-caller out of Ole Miss with the No. 25 pick back in April, Wilson has been on the clock. Dart impressed throughout the summer and preseason, and fans even wanted to see him get some snaps in Week 1.
Upon drafting Dart, Daboll and Joe Schoen’s plan was for him to redshirt in 2025 while learning the tricks of the trade from Wilson and Jameis Winston. But between Wilson’s slow start and social media clamoring for the Utah native to make his first start, it might just force his hand.
Even Adam Schefter said on the Pat McAfee show that he expects Dart to take over sooner than people realize. The pressure is only going to intensify if Wilson doesn’t find his groove fast, and both Daboll and Schoen’s jobs hinge on Dart’s success.
"The time to go to Jaxson Dart for the New York Giants is coming..
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) September 8, 2025
We don't know if it's gonna to be this week or next week but his time is coming" ~ @AdamSchefter #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/CoLx2KsF3G
The 22-year-old shattered Eli Manning’s records while in Oxford, and now looks poised to follow in his footsteps as the next face of the G-Men. His blend of arm strength, mobility, and toughness makes him a seamless fit in Daboll and offensive coordinator Mike Kafka’s system, and he has even been compared to another Daboll-coached QB in Josh Allen.
It’s a gamble on experience versus potential, and rushing a quarterback into NFL action never works out, especially while playing behind Big Blue’s suspect offensive line. But that change could provide the team the energy it’s been lacking since Daniel Jones made his own debut in blue and white.
Daboll already named Wilson the starter in Week 2 against the Cowboys, but if these struggles persist, a change could be on the horizon. Dart has the upside and the fan support that the veteran does not, and after Week 1, it’s clear that his moment is a matter of when, not if, he gets his shot in 2025.