Giants keep Russell Wilson as starter after Week 1 loss, coach says

The New York Giants will keep Russell Wilson as their starting quarterback after a 21-6 season-opening loss to the Washington Commanders, coach Brian Daboll said Monday, closing the door on snapshot calls to replace him with rookie Jaxson Dart.

Daboll’s confirmation reflected a broader organizational decision not to abandon a plan put in place during the offseason. The Giants signed Wilson for $10.5 million and have publicly emphasized his leadership and the time required for Dart to develop; moving to Dart after one game would have undercut that messaging and raised questions about the team’s decision-making.

Wilson, 36, struggled to elevate an offense that sputtered through the opener. The Giants managed just two field goals, turned the ball over and failed to convert consistently in short-yardage situations. While those issues fell across multiple position groups, attention has centered on the quarterback spot because of the club’s offseason investment and the presence of Dart, a rookie the organization has described as a long-term project.

Replacing Wilson with Dart after one game would have been abrupt given prior statements from coaches and executives that the younger quarterback would need time to adjust to the NFL. Analysts and some fans argued that immediate change might signal instability in leadership, while others said performance concerns should dictate personnel decisions. Daboll and the front office opted to prioritize continuity for now.

The Giants also face an injury and personnel subplot that could affect offensive performance: left tackle Andrew Thomas is expected to return, which may bolster a line that allowed pressure and hampered both the run and pass schemes in Week 1. Coaching staff members emphasized that line play, protection calls and scheme execution contributed as much to the loss as play at quarterback.

Daboll and offensive coaches have said they will use practices this week to correct miscommunications, tighten protections and clarify reads. The immediate test will come in the next game, when the Giants face the Dallas Cowboys. How Wilson responds, how the offensive line performs with Thomas back and whether Dart progresses in practice will shape the depth chart and potential changes later in the season.

The decision to keep Wilson reflects the balance teams often weigh between short-term performance and longer-term planning. The Giants committed salary and expectations to a veteran starter and remain publicly invested in his role, while also maintaining a developmental path for Dart. Evaluations of both quarterbacks and the offensive unit are likely to continue week to week as the season develops.