The New York Giants are turning the page. Rookie Jaxson Dart is officially the starting quarterback, and Russell Wilson is heading to the bench. It’s a new chapter for Big Blue — one that officially kicks off Sunday at MetLife against the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 4.
It’s going to be a tough debut. The Chargers are well-coached under Jim Harbaugh, and defensive coordinator Jesse Minter has their unit playing red-hot. Dart caught a minor break, though, with future Hall of Famer Khalil Mack ruled out due to an elbow injury.
Even still, this isn’t exactly a dream opponent for a rookie making his first career start. But if there’s one clear path to getting comfortable and looking the part, it’s by finding No. 1 — Malik Nabers — early and often. And Nabers knows it.
The offense gave fans next to nothing last season, but Nabers still delivered the best rookie receiving seasons in franchise history. He finished with 109 receptions, 1,204 yards, and seven touchdowns, all while the team cycled through quarterbacks and failed to move the ball consistently. When speaking to the media about what he took from that experience, Nabers kept it simple and spot-on: “They gonna find a way to get 1 the ball.”
Malik Nabers already handed Jaxson Dart his game plan for Week 4
Even with Russell Wilson struggling to string together drives, Nabers already has 16 receptions for 251 yards and two touchdowns through three games. Former Giants defensive coordinator and interim head coach, and current Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo, gave the Chargers a real blueprint for slowing him down.
Week 3 against Kansas City was the quietest game of Nabers’ career, but it didn’t change what we’ve already seen. Year 2 looks like it’s picking up right where Year 1 left off.
Wan’Dale Robinson’s emergence in the slot gives Dart another reliable option, and fellow rookie Cam Skattebo’s breakout against the Chiefs suggests more help is coming. But if the Giants want to actually move the ball and stretch the field, everything still has to run through No. 1.
It’s on offensive coordinator Mike Kafka to get Dart settled, and that starts with featuring Nabers as often as possible. If this duo clicks, it might just save Brian Daboll, Joe Schoen, and the entire regime.
Because when it really comes down to it, the plan doesn’t have to be complicated. Just find No. 1 on the field... and they gonna find a way to get him the ball. At least they should.