With the New York Giants sitting at 0-3, there is a laundry list of things Brian Daboll has done wrong in 2025. His future in New York is in serious peril, and he was forced to turn to first-round rookie Jaxson Dart far sooner than fans expected, but the NFL gods work in mysterious ways, so this decision could end up being the best possible outcome for Big Blue.
Russell Wilson looked flat out awful, throwing two costly interceptions on Sunday Night Football against the Chiefs, so even in a matchup with the stout Los Angeles Chargers' defense in Week 4, Daboll, knowing he's on the hot seat, decided to roll with the 22-year-old in a last-ditch effort to save his job.
The timing couldn’t be better. With Andrew Thomas back in the lineup, Dart should benefit from a much-improved offensive line that was among the top half in football before Thomas' season-ending injury in Week 6.
Jaxson Dart is being set up for success in his Giants' debut
Even in his first game back from Lisfranc surgery, the Georgia product wasted no time reminding fans why he was among the best linemen in football before the injury. While the Giants' offense only mustered nine points, he and Jermaine Eluemenor both dazzled against a Chiefs' defensive line headlined by Chris Jones and George Karlaftis.
Andrew Thomas and Jermaine Eluemunor both had 100% pass block win rates vs the Chiefs on Sunday. pic.twitter.com/mKjIutJE7u
— Big Blue Film Room (@BigBlueFilmRoom) September 22, 2025
Not only did Thomas record a 100% pass block win rate in his season debut. According to Pro Football Focus, he recorded an 84.4 pass block grade, which ranked him seventh among all tackles in 2025. So Daboll waiting until Thomas could protect Dart's blind side to start him was a stroke of genius.
Additionally, it was announced last week that Chargers star pass-rusher Khalil Mack was placed on IR after suffering an elbow injury in Week 2, meaning he won't suit up against Thomas and the G-Men. For a rookie not to have to deal with a nine-time Pro Bowler and four-time first-team All-Pro in his NFL debut is a true blessing.
The former Ole Miss standout threw for 4,279 yards and 29 touchdowns as a senior and 81 touchdowns in his college career, so the pedigree is there. With a strong crop of weapons surrounding him, the pieces are in place for Dart to light up a fanbase in desperate need of it.
While both Malik Nabers and Wan'Dale Robinson were largely invisible in Week 3, offensive coordinator Mike Kafka will have to scheme the two open in Dart's debut. Moreover, with Tyrone Tracy Jr. out of the lineup with a dislocated shoulder, rookie running back Cam Skattebo should build on his strong performance from the home opener, and give his fellow rookie a safety valve out of the backfield.
With Nabers, Robinson, Skattebo, Darius Slayton, and Theo Johnson as targets, the playbook is more open than ever before for Daboll and Kafka. The playoffs may not be a viable goal this season, but turning to Dart could give Giants fans something to rally behind—and provide a fresh spark for a regime desperate to save their jobs.