Rex Ryan urges Giants to bench Russell Wilson for rookie Jaxson Dart
Former coach says Wilson 'can't play anymore' after 21-6 loss; coach Brian Daboll stops short of committing to a change
Former Jets coach Rex Ryan told ESPN on Monday that the New York Giants should turn to rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart after Russell Wilson’s uneven debut in a 21-6 loss to the Washington Commanders.
On ESPN’s Get Up, Ryan said Wilson “can’t play anymore” and urged the Giants to give Dart, the team’s first-round rookie, a chance even with difficult opponents — the Dallas Cowboys, Kansas City Chiefs and Los Angeles Chargers — on the schedule over the next three weeks. “You’ve got to put [Dart] in because Russell Wilson can’t play anymore, and I don’t know what the hell you’re doing with him,” Ryan said. “Put him out there, let him go, let him ride, and let’s see.”
Former NFL offensive lineman Damien Woody, appearing on the same program, agreed with Ryan and pointed to the reaction of wide receiver Malik Nabers during Sunday’s game as evidence the offense is struggling. “I’ve seen enough. One week was enough for me,” Woody said. “Anytime your superstar wide receiver Malik Nabers is losing it, Week 1, during the game, Malik Nabers is losing it, and if you lose that guy, the one legitimate talent that you have on the offensive side of the ball, you lose him, you have major problems.”
Wilson, 36, completed 17 of 37 passes for 168 yards in his Giants debut and rushed eight times for 44 yards. The team managed just six points against the Commanders.
Giants head coach Brian Daboll declined to commit to a starter for Week 2 but said he has confidence in Wilson and emphasized that Saturday’s game was not solely the quarterback’s responsibility. “This game isn’t on Russell Wilson. I want to make that clear,” Daboll said. He added that he would review the performance and make decisions he believes are best for the team moving forward.
Supporters of a change pointed to Dart’s preseason work, with Ryan saying the rookie “outplayed Russell Wilson head and shoulders in the preseason” and asserting that the team should see whether Dart can develop into a long-term option. The call for a quarterback switch comes amid immediate pressure on a franchise seeking offensive consistency after the offseason addition of Wilson.
The debate over whether to bench a veteran starter in favor of an untested rookie has resurfaced for the Giants after one regular-season game. Analysts and former players who publicly weighed in on Monday framed the decision as balancing short-term competitiveness against evaluating a high-draft pick under live-game conditions.
The Giants face a quick turnaround and a challenging slate of opponents in the coming weeks, and Daboll’s choice at quarterback will be closely watched as the team attempts to rebound from its opener.
