Giants keep Russell Wilson as Week 2 starter after 21-6 loss to Commanders
Brian Daboll says Wilson will practice as the starter ahead of the Cowboys game despite a rough regular-season debut and heavy pressure in the opener
The New York Giants will remain with Russell Wilson as their starting quarterback for Week 2, head coach Brian Daboll said Monday, despite a 21-6 loss to the Washington Commanders in the season opener.
"Russ will be the starter," Daboll told reporters at the team facility in East Rutherford when asked about the quarterback position. Daboll added that he wants to review film with a clear head before making any broader personnel or schematic changes, and that the loss was a collective issue rather than the responsibility of one player.
Wilson completed 17 of 37 passes for 168 yards in the loss, a 45.9% completion rate. The Giants' offensive line struggled throughout the game, and Wilson faced pressure on 22 of his 45 dropbacks, according to team data, forcing quicker throws and limited progression through reads. New York failed to score a touchdown in the opener for the third consecutive season, producing a combined 12 points across its last three season openers — a skid the franchise last matched in 1940–42.
The result leaves the Giants 0-1 and sets up a divisional matchup against the Dallas Cowboys, who also opened 0-1 after a loss to the Philadelphia Eagles on Thursday night. Daboll said Wilson will practice this week as the starter leading into the matchup.
The team’s quarterback situation drew added attention this offseason after New York traded back into the first round to select Jaxson Dart, a rookie who raised expectations with a strong preseason. Dart has not yet appeared in a regular-season game and remains a candidate for future playing time, but Daboll declined to use the opener as a trigger to make an immediate change.
Daboll acknowledged broader concerns beyond the quarterback position. "That game doesn’t fall on Russell Wilson. We’ve got to do a better job collectively — coaching, playing," he said. The coach’s position has been under scrutiny heading into the season, and owner John Mara has publicly indicated a desire for improved results.
New York’s offensive struggles in the opener — including inconsistent pass protection and limited production in the running game — will be a focus in film review as the coaching staff prepares for Dallas. The Giants hope to correct protection breakdowns and create more time for Wilson to operate through progressions. Daboll emphasized the need for collective improvement but did not set a timeline for potential changes at quarterback.
The Giants will return to practice this week in preparation for Sunday’s game. Until Daboll says otherwise, Wilson will take first-team reps and start for New York in Week 2.