Giants bench Russell Wilson, start Jaxson Dart as leadership questions surface
Kurt Warner weighs in as New York shifts quarterbacks amid a 0-3 start and questions about offensive creativity and leadership.
New York, Sept. 28, 2025 — The New York Giants benched veteran quarterback Russell Wilson and tabbed rookie Jaxson Dart as their starter for Week 4 against the Los Angeles Chargers at MetLife Stadium, the team announced after an 0-3 start.
Hall of Fame quarterback Kurt Warner, who played one season with the Giants and mentored Eli Manning, weighed in on the decision, questioning whether the issues were rooted in the players or the play caller. 'They obviously need to do something,' Warner wrote, 'but I wish it started by being more creative on O! I love Coach Daboll & have seen that creativity, but haven’t seen it much in these last 3 weeks & it’s been hard on QB IMO (especially in RZ)! Even game against Dallas was a lot of ‘throw it up’ type plays! When you have seen someone do it, it always makes you wonder is it because of what players are able to handle/do or is it the coach? Maybe this move will give us some clarity!'
New York has a long history of quarterback transitions, and this season marks another high-profile shift. Wilson joined the Giants on a one-year deal and was the expected starter as the team drafted Dart in the 2025 NFL Draft. The situation mirrors Warner’s own path with the Giants in 2004, when he mentored Manning as the rookie quarterback progressed into a two-time Super Bowl champion.
Wilson has shown flashes of his vintage self, including a 450-yard, three-touchdown performance in the Week 2 loss to the Dallas Cowboys, but the overall trajectory has been rocky as New York has struggled to convert in the red zone and generate consistent offense. Dart, an Ole Miss product, has played just six NFL snaps in short-yardage and red-zone situations and has yet to attempt a pass.
Dart will make his first extended NFL appearance Sunday, and how the Giants adjust their gameplan with a rookie under center remains to be seen. Daboll, who led the Giants to a surprising playoff appearance in his first year, has faced questions about the team’s offensive identity this season. The 2025 start is part of a broader pattern under Daboll, who has overseen a 18-35-1 record through four seasons in charge, including last season’s 3-14 finish.
The Giants’ quarterback shakeup comes as the team tries to salvage a season that began with optimism but has quickly faced scrutiny over game plans, personnel decisions, and the direction of the offense. The move to Dart is widely viewed as a long-term investment in a young quarterback room, with Wilson serving as a veteran presence to stabilize a suddenly unsettled offense.
As the Chargers visit New York on Sunday, observers will be watching not only for the scoring drive but also for whether the Giants can renew their identity on offense, make clearer in-game adjustments, and manage the quarterback timeline with a rookie in Dart while Wilson provides leadership and experience on a one-year deal.