Giants bench Russell Wilson, hand starting duties to Jaxson Dart for Chargers game
Dart to start as Wilson's three-game stint ends; both quarterbacks are devout Christians
New York Giants coach and front office are preparing to bench Russell Wilson this week in favor of rookie Jaxson Dart, according to multiple reports, ending Wilson's run as the team's starting quarterback after three games. Dart is set to start against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Wilson signed a one-year, $21 million contract with the Giants in the offseason and told Fox News Digital that his goal is to help the team win daily. He has also brought his faith into the locker room, noting that Bible studies occur regularly among players who are strong in their faith.
Wilson has been one of the NFL’s most vocal Christian quarterbacks. Dart, too, is a devout Christian and a practicing Mormon. Dart is the third Mormon quarterback in NFL history and was drafted 25th overall after the Giants traded back up to the first round to select him. Wilson, speaking in July, said Dart is a really good worker and teammate with a strong college résumé.
When Wilson overtook Matt Flynn as Seattle's starter in 2012, Flynn had signed a three-year, $26 million contract. Wilson, a rookie, led the Seahawks to an 11-5 record and a playoff win in his first season, then guided Seattle to a Super Bowl title the following year in 2013. Now Wilson watches the younger Dart ascend as the Giants' starter this week, while Wilson takes on a mentorship role for the rest of the season. The transition will likely be helped by both players' faith traditions, a factor that has long shaped how the Giants approach the locker room.
As the Giants navigate this transition, Dart's development will be watched closely by teammates and observers, and Wilson's leadership off the field will continue to influence the club.