Giants to start rookie Jaxson Dart to start versus Chargers, Russell Wilson reportedly benched

The New York Giants are set to make a quarterback switch, planning to sit Russell Wilson in favor of first-round rookie Jaxson Dart, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter on Tuesday. 

Dart, the 25th overall pick from Ole Miss, will make his NFL debut as a starter this Sunday at MetLife Stadium against the undefeated Los Angeles Chargers. The rookie spent the first three games of the season backing up Wilson, who struggled to find consistency early on.

After joining the Giants this offseason, Russell Wilson was immediately named the starting quarterback by head coach Brian Daboll. But following Sunday's 22-9 defeat to the Chiefs, Daboll remained non-committal about sticking with Wilson, echoing the same uncertainty he expressed two weeks earlier. On Monday, Daboll left the door open for a change, stating the team was "evaluating everything" and declining to officially reaffirm Wilson as the starter.

Wilson had a rough outing against the Chiefs, throwing for just 160 yards along with two interceptions. One particularly costly red-zone series late in the game saw him throw out of bounds on fourth down, and Giants fans voiced their frustration, booing him late in the first half after the second interception.

The move to start Dart could provide a spark for a fan base growing restless with Wilson’s struggles. The rookie received cheers for a single snap in the second quarter on Sunday, though fans booed when Wilson threw his second interception in a tied game during his first home appearance.

Dart has been preparing for this opportunity ever since the Giants traded back into the first round to select him. Since arriving in New York, he’s impressed consistently, moving from the third-team offense in the spring to overtaking Winston early in the summer.

His first extended regular-season action comes against a Chargers defense that is allowing under 300 yards per game, presenting a tough challenge. Still, Dart brings a fresh dynamic to New York’s offense, with his mobility and zone-read ability giving the team a more versatile look than they saw with Wilson throughout the preseason.

For Russell Wilson, this benching could mark the closing chapter of his NFL journey. After carving out a Hall of Fame-worthy career with the Seattle Seahawks, Wilson's production took a noticeable dip following his trade to the Denver Broncos. 

Though he managed a respectable season in 2023, Denver chose to move on without him. In 2024, he signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers, throwing 16 touchdowns across 11 starts before hitting free agency once more. Wilson then joined the Giants, hoping to secure one final opportunity as a starter.

New York also has veteran Jameis Winston on the roster, providing additional depth at quarterback behind the recently elevated Jaxson Dart.