Giants name Jaxson Dart starter, citing decision by Daboll

The New York Giants on Wednesday named rookie Jaxson Dart the starting quarterback, replacing Russell Wilson for the remainder of the season. Head coach Brian Daboll said the decision was his to make after evaluating the situation and preparing the team for the road ahead.

Wilson, signed as a free agent last offseason, had been expected to start and took the majority of first-team reps during training camp. The club nonetheless pivoted to Dart, saying the rookie would be tasked with guiding the offense this week and for the rest of the year. "We’re going with Jaxson. We’re going to get him ready to play this week and for the remainder of the season," Daboll said, emphasizing the timeline.

There was little mention of collabora­tion in the explanation, though Daboll did acknowledge that conversations with general manager Joe Schoen and owner John Mara occurred. "That’s the direction I wanted to go. That’s the direction we’re going to go," he said, adding that there were "good conversations" but that the final call rested with him. In other words, if Daboll’s job security is under scrutiny, the plan places the quarterback decision firmly in his hands.

Daboll also made clear that he intends to keep offensive coordinator Mike Kafka in the play-calling role for Dart, whose first start is scheduled against the Los Angeles Chargers at MetLife Stadium.

Asked about outside speculation surrounding the decision, Daboll pushed back on a report ESPN published about 10 days earlier, which cited anonymously sourced Giants in describing a sense of urgency lacking to start Dart. "I would say that I haven’t had any conversations but with players," Daboll said, framing the move as one premeditated within the organization’s broader plan rather than something influenced by external chatter.

The timing of the benching comes as Daboll navigates a difficult stretch that has tested his leadership and the Giants’ organizational chemistry. He acknowledged the season’s rough patch, noting, "It’s a long season. We’ve lost three games. Haven’t put it together all collectively, and [that] led to the decision to play Jaxson." The move aligns with a broader objective to develop the former standing quarterback prospect and to maximize the long-term trajectory of the franchise.

Dart’s transition to the starting role marks a pivotal moment for the Giants as they chart a path forward with a rookie under center and a plan to keep the offense paced by Kafka’s play-calling. The Chargers test will be the first real proving ground for the revamped quarterback room, and how the team adapts in real-game situations will shape Daboll’s tenure and Schoen’s roster-building approach going forward.