In a New York minute, Russell Wilson's out and Jaxson Dart's time is now.
Dart will start at quarterback in the New York Giants' Week 4 game against the visiting Los Angeles Chargers, NFL Network Insiders Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo reported on Tuesday.
Following a dreadful offensive showing in a 22-9 loss on Sunday night to the Kansas City Chiefs, Wilson is three and out in Gotham.
Dart, taken 25th overall in the 2025 NFL Draft after New York traded back into the first round, had an impressive preseason that had many wondering just how long it would be before he took the field in the regular season. Turns out it's three weeks, with Wilson struggling in two of the three games and New York off to an 0-3 start for the first time since Daboll took over as head coach in 2022.
Three games is a quick hook, all things considered, but Big Blue fans were chanting for Dart as the first half ended on Sunday. The offense generated just 281 yards of offense against the Chiefs with Wilson completing 18 of 32 passes for 160 yards, no touchdowns, two interceptions and a 43.8 passer rating. In a Week 1 loss to the Washington Commanders, he was 17 of 37, mustering 168 passing yards, no TDs, no INTs and a 59.3 rating as he piloted a rudderless New York offense to 231 net yards. In between, he threw for a career-high 450 yards in a 40-37 loss to the Dallas Cowboys, but that Giants' performance and output seems like an aberration after three weeks of the unlimited experience under center.
After signing with the Giants this offseason, Wilson was anointed as the starter by Daboll to begin the season. However, after Sunday's loss, Daboll was non-committal to sticking with Wilson, just as he was two weeks prior.
"You guys have asked me about guys after games. I'm not going to answer that," Daboll said Sunday when asked if Wilson would be the starter for Week 4.
On Monday, Daboll told reporters they were "evaluating everything" at QB.
Where Wilson, 36, goes from here is a massive question. The 10-time Pro Bowler is with his third team in as many years. This is the second time he's been benched, the first coming at the end of his two-season run with the Denver Broncos in 2023. A first for Wilson now lies ahead as he'll be the veteran in the room perhaps looked upon to steward the development of Dart.
Though the move will be celebrated by the fan base, the timing might not do Dart any favors. He's appeared in each of the last two games, recording six total snaps and running the ball twice for zero yards with no passes attempted. Now he'll make his NFL starting debut and see his first substantial playing time against the undefeated Chargers (3-0), who boast an imposing defense that's allowed 16.6 points per game to start the season.
No matter the timing this year, Dart's been the future of the franchise regardless of his spot on the depth chart. That future is now the present.
The Ole Miss product had 4,279 passing yards, 29 touchdowns and only six interceptions as a college senior. This summer, Dart had a touchdown pass in each of his three preseason games, kindling hope for disgruntled Big Blue rooters.
He possesses fleet feet, a strong arm and the shiny glow of a first-rounder who appeals to a fanbase and a coach in Daboll who's had just nine combined wins over the past two-plus years.
Daboll has had six quarterbacks start for him since he was hired. Daniel Jones had the majority of those starts and Wilson had the last. Next up is Dart, who holds the distinction of truly being Daboll's first QB of choice. He inherited Jones and did his best with veteran backups/stopgaps such as Tyrod Taylor, Drew Lock and Wilson, along with cult favorite Tommy Devito.
In a pivotal season for Daboll and the franchise, the choice has been made to make the franchise QB of tomorrow the QB of today.
