Strahan weighs in on Giants QB benching as Dart era begins, with Ryder Cup on the horizon

Michael Strahan has weighed in on a developing Giants storyline, warning rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart that life in New York can be unforgiving even for a poised young player. The former Giants star spoke to the Daily Mail a day after New York benched Russell Wilson, ending the veteran signal-caller’s run just three games into a $10.5 million contract. With Wilson out of the lineup, Dart, the former Ole Miss standout who has played six NFL snaps, steps into a larger role as the team tries to salvage a season that began 0-3.

It may not be as smooth as everybody anticipates, Strahan told the Daily Mail, adding that being in New York comes with heightened scrutiny and a pressure cooker that testers even the best quarterbacks. Being in New York is really, really tough. The responsibility for rescuing New York’s season now falls on the shoulders of a first-round draft pick who has not yet logged a long NFL track record.

The pivotal moment for Dart’s debut as the starter appears to have stemmed from a Sunday night loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, a game in which Russell Wilson absorbed multiple sacks and interceptions. Dart will take the field this weekend when the Los Angeles Chargers visit, marking a turning point in a season defined by a rough start and a rebuilding timeline under head coach Brian Daboll. Strahan emphasized the emotional and professional hurdles that come with a quarterback’s first sustained opportunity in New York. If he doesn’t, or if the transition is rough, I hope he doesn’t lose his confidence. Because being in New York is really, really tough. You get beat up by the media and a lot of guys don’t recover. That’s why New York is tough for most guys to come here and play.

But Strahan expressed more optimism than caution about Dart’s future. I think Jaxson is built for it. I think he’ll do well. He just seems comfortable. He’s big, he’s fast, he throws a great football, he’s decisive — which is one of the toughest things to be as the quarterback. So I think he has a big upside. He’s big, he’s fast, he throws a great football and he’s decisive. Strahan’s confidence in Dart stems from how the rookie has carried himself through the early part of his NFL life, including flashes of potential that have captured fans’ attention while the team sought stability at the position.

In the days surrounding Dart’s ascent, Strahan found himself amid another high-profile setting that underscores the cross-section of his life in sports. He participated in the Ryder Cup All-Star match at Bethpage Black, a scene that placed him among the game’s celebrities and gave fans a sense of the event’s festive mood ahead of Friday’s main competition. The former defensive end joined teammates and notable figures for a 10-hole showcase, where teammates included country star Miranda Lambert on one side and Catherine Zeta-Jonzes on the other, with Pau Gasol and John McEnroe also part of the mix. On the 18th green, Strahan holed a timely putt, pumped his fist and helped rally the crowd, a moment that reminded fans of his flair for big-stage performances beyond football.

The Ryder Cup setting provided a different kind of pressure and spectacle, but Strahan welcomed the chance to represent Team USA in a format that blends sport, spectacle and camaraderie. Team USA won three of the four matches in the pairing, a sign of the event’s festive tone as fans gathered and officials prepared to usher in the formal competition on Friday in front of a notable political backdrop. Strahan spoke with a life-long love of golf that has him regular at a Florida club where he rubs shoulders with the game’s luminaries, including friends on the European side.

As the golf week unfolded, Strahan offered insights that bridged his two worlds: football and golf. He spoke about the culture of mentorship and competition that defines both sports and shared a few of the best tips he’d received over the years. One memorable lesson came from Tony Finau, who told Strahan never to assume an opponent is out of reach when trouble looms. Always be ready. Don’t let complacency creep in. Amateurs, Finau warned, tend to think they’ve got it in the bag, only to be surprised by a sudden turn in the match. That counsel, Strahan noted, has traveled with him through his time as a competitor and through the late stages of his retirement from professional football, where he still remains one of the game’s most recognizable ambassadors.

Strahan’s friendships with the sport’s stars, including Justin Rose and Koepka, have helped him navigate a world where athletes frequently rotate through friend circles and competition. He described his own golf circle as a mix of colleagues and fans, a group that includes Rose, Koepka and others who sometimes cross paths on and off the course. He recalled the lesson of staying focused and ready for every shot, a mindset that translates directly to quarterback play, where every drive, pass and decision is under public scrutiny. The message for Dart, Strahan suggested, is not to fear the moment but to respect its gravity and to keep faith in one’s own preparation and ability.

The timing of Strahan’s comments highlights a broader narrative about New York football, where media scrutiny and fan expectations are part of the job description for any quarterback who steps into the spotlight. The Giants’ decision to bench Wilson and hand the reins to Dart reflects a team trying to salvage a season that has not lived up to expectations since last summer’s acquisition. Strahan’s perspective carries historical weight: he helped lead the Giants to a Super Bowl title and has lived the ups and downs of the New York sports market. His warning about the city’s intensity resonates with players who have faced the intensity of playing at MetLife or in prime-time settings across the league.

Beyond the immediate Giants storyline, Strahan’s Ryder Cup appearance offered a window into the broader sports landscape, where football figures share spaces with golf’s global stage. The All-Star format at Bethpage Black, with its mix of entertainers and athletes, provided a backdrop for reflection on the pressures athletes face when they must perform at a high level under a global spotlight. Strahan’s own performance on the 18th green and his willingness to engage with fans underscored the enduring appeal of sports figures who transition seamlessly between disciplines. As Dart embarks on his first extended NFL stint, Strahan’s balanced mix of encouragement and caution may serve as a touchstone for a franchise trying to reboot its season under the bright glare of New York tradition.