The 0-3 New York Giants are making a quarterback change this week, turning to first-round rookie Jaxson Dart in place of Russell Wilson for their Week 4 matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers.
New York will now hand the reins to Dart, the quarterback they moved back into the first round (25th overall) to select in April’s draft.
Dart’s first start in 2025 had long been anticipated, especially for a Giants team navigating the NFL’s toughest schedule and looking to build on the promise of the young quarterback their coach was impressed with during the draft process.
Can Giants’ Jaxson Dart save Brian Daboll’s job?
With the Dart era now beginning in New York, ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith stated what the rookie needs to show during this run under center to help Brian Daboll keep his job as Giants head coach.
“[Dart] has to look better than average. He has to look impressive,” Smith said on Wednesday’s edition of “First Take.” “It has to be the look that he gives off, fellows, that gives an indication that he’s being developed. You understand that you can look at him and his skill set and say, Okay, Brian Daboll is having a positive impact on them. Of course, you have to see the team collectively feed off of his energy, his adrenaline, and that from the giant faithful out there, where your defense shows up and be a bit respectable.
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“But most importantly than that, you’ve got a stud in Malik Nabers. You’ve got another one. You just got Wendell Robinson can ball, too. The combination of those two, if they’re really exhaling and they’re raving about their quarterback and they’re thriving, then those things could lead towards Daboll being saved.”
Nonetheless, Dart is confident he’ll put in the work this week and deliver a strong performance on the field.
“I’m ready,” Dart said (h/t Pro Football Talk). “You always try to say I’m going to prepare each week the same, but in all reality you have different responsibilities as a starter, so I’m just locked in.”
