Giants Name Jaxson Dart as Starter Over Russell Wilson in High-Stakes QB Decision

New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart will start, and Russell Wilson will not, according to reporting by the New York Post based on insider information and conversations around the club. The move confirms a midseason pivot that had speculation rising in recent weeks and has triggered questions about how the decision was reached and who was involved.

Head coach Brian Daboll has repeatedly said it is his decision; with the Giants, depth-chart moves are treated as the head coach’s purview, with input from others but final say resting with Daboll. The arrangement mirrors past Giants practice, where the top coach has the authority to make bold calls in the name of preserving the season and stabilizing the team. In 2004, Giants general manager Ernie Accorsi wanted rookie Eli Manning to sit and learn, but Tom Coughlin, in his first year as head coach, after nine games decided to start Manning. There was discussion, but the move ultimately came from the sideline and was framed as a strategic decision rather than a power grab.

The decision to move on from Russell Wilson and install Dart has been portrayed by observers as a bid to salvage a sinking season. The Post’s observations describe an environment in which the head coach sought swift, definitive action to change the trajectory of the team, and where the job security of the coaching staff could hinge on the outcomes of the move. Daboll’s stance — that it was his call — is presented not as a rogue execution but as a calculated decision within the franchise’s established structure, one that reflects the urgency of turning a fluctuating season into a viable playoff push.

Context surrounding the change includes the broader dynamic of how the Giants handle quarterback development and roster management. Dart’s insertion gives him an opportunity to run the offense, gain live-game experience, and show whether the club’s evaluation of his readiness aligns with on-field performance in a season that has tested both players and coaches. Wilson, an established veteran, provides a contrasting track record and a different approach to quarterback duties, making the shift not only a personnel move but a moment that could influence locker-room dynamics and the team’s long-term plan. While the public focus centers on the quarterback position, the timing and framing of the decision underscore the franchise’s broader priorities — stability, accountability, and a clear path forward for a team aiming to compete in a challenging NFC landscape.