Giants name Jaxson Dart starter for rest of 2025 after fan pressure, Simms theory hints at off-field factors

The New York Giants on Tuesday named Jaxson Dart the starting quarterback for the remainder of the 2025 season, moving on from Russell Wilson after three games. Coach Brian Daboll said the decision reflects an assessment of the current roster and the potential Dart brings, with a belief that a spark from the rookie could help reverse a rough start.

Public pressure and on-field signals converged in the weeks leading to the change, including a loud showing from fans at the Chiefs game. After Sunday’s loss to Kansas City, chants of “We want Dart” echoed through MetLife Stadium as Dart watched from the sideline while Wilson operated the offense. Daboll indicated Dart would get the opportunity to prove himself in the playing rotation as the team pivots toward a different timetable for development.

Dart, a 2024 first-year quarterback prospect from Ole Miss, has appeared in six offensive snaps this season. He impressed in the preseason, completing 32 of 47 passes for 372 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions, while adding six rushes for 52 yards and one rushing touchdown. With the Chargers coming to town at MetLife Stadium this Sunday, Dart will try to start a rebuilding arc that could alter the Giants’ long-term plans at the position.

Former Giants quarterback and broadcaster Phil Simms weighed in on the switch, offering a theory that the move was driven less by what happened on the field than by the chatter surrounding the team off it. On SiriusXM’s Mad Dog Sports Radio, Simms said the franchise could not ignore the public mood and the visible impact of empty seats at games. “Did they have to play him this week? Yes. They had to,” Simms said. “I see all the empty seats. [Giants owners] know empty seats too. And you’ve got to listen to the public sometimes.”

Simms also described his expectation that Dart might have remained on the sideline for several games were circumstances different, suggesting he anticipated a longer timeline before the quarterback was thrust into regular-season action. The veteran broadcaster framed the situation as a reality check: teams contend with fan sentiment and attendance patterns, particularly when ownership is sensitive to those signals.

Daboll acknowledged the decision publicly on Tuesday, and by Wednesday he indicated he expected the rookie to start the rest of the 2025 season. Dart’s ascent comes at a time when New York seeks an urgent turnaround, with the Chargers looming and a season-wide goal of securing a victory to begin building momentum. The transition also raises questions about how the Giants plan to balance development with results as they navigate a pivotal campaign.

As Dart takes the helm, the Giants will lean on his athleticism and improvisational ability to diversify an offense that has struggled to sustain consistency through the first three weeks. The team’s focus remains on maximizing Dart’s playmaking capacity while continuing to refine his decision-making within Daboll’s system.

The Chargers matchup represents a critical early test for Dart and the new quarterback plan, with New York hoping to break through for its first win of the season. The move also serves as a strategic signal from the coaching staff and front office about a longer-term view at the position, even as it places a spotlight on Dart’s early opportunities to prove he can lead the offense on Sundays.