Rookie Jaxson Dart will be the New York Giants’ starting quarterback for the remainder of the season, coach Brian Daboll confirmed on Wednesday.
Veteran quarterback Russell Wilson will serve as Dart’s backup when the winless Giants (0-3) host the undefeated Los Angeles Chargers (3-0) on Sunday in East Rutherford, N.J.
Dart, 22, was selected with the 25th overall pick of the 2025 NFL Draft out of Ole Miss.
“It’s my decision,” Daboll told reporters. “We’re going with Jaxson. We’re going to get him ready to play this week and the remainder of the season. He’s going to do everything he can. Russ will be the backup.
“The conversations that I had with these young men will be private. The details will be private. All I can tell you is that we’re going with Jaxson and getting ready to play. I’m not going to add too much to it. Those are private conversations; it’s my decision, and we’re going with Jaxson.”
Teammates praised Dart for his energy and making effort to connect with veterans. Daboll and general manager Joe Schoen have both said confidence is a factor playing in Dart’s favor.
“I’m ready,” Dart said. “I want to do my best to be a spark”
Daboll said Wilson took the demotion in stride as reports circulated he could be a trade candidate or request his outright release.
“Russ was nothing but a pro,” Daboll said of the 36-year-old Wilson, who is expected to remain in that role for the remainder of the season. Jameis Winston is No. 3 on the team’s depth chart.
Daboll dismissed the notion that the team’s winless record is the reason why the team is ushering the rookie under center.
“It’s a long season, we’ve had three games,” Daboll said. “Haven’t put it together all collectively, made the decision to play Jaxson.”
Dart was 32-of-47 passing for 372 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions in the preseason and rushed for a TD against the New York Jets.
“I just told him ‘I’ve got your back,'” Wilson said Wednesday. “I know that matters. I’ve lived it.”
He will take over a team that went 1 of 10 on third down in a 22-9 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs last Sunday and came away with one touchdown in three possessions in the red zone. They have two red-zone TDs on 10 possessions inside the opponents’ 20 this season.
The Giants are 27th in the NFL in scoring (17.3 points per game) and 31st in the red zone as well as third-down conversion percentage (27.5).
–Field Level Media
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