Following a disastrous 0-3 start to the 2025-26 season, the New York Giants benched veteran Russell Wilson for rookie Jaxson Dart. While fans were lobbying for a change from Week 2, not everyone favored the decision.
Many believe that while Wilson has made unexpected errors, the star QB has the chance to turn the season around.
Did 3-Time Pro Bowl QB Question Giants’ Choice of Jaxson Dart Over Russell Wilson?
During a recent appearance on ESPN’s NFL Countdown, three-time Pro Bowler Alex Smith reacted to the Giants picking Dart as their QB1.
“I hate this…I absolutely hate this. I think this is for all the wrong reasons. Listen, the reason he’s starting is because they’re not winning, and Russ is not playing well. And those are not they should be asking yourself when you take a quarterback in the first round.
You’re trying to develop your starting QB for the next ten to twelve years. Have we done everything in your power to make sure that when he goes on the field, he has a chance at success? Or when we’re doing it against one of the best defenses in the NFL?” Smith questioned.
“I hate this. … I think this is for all the wrong reasons.”
Alex Smith and @TedyBruschi disagree on Jaxson Dart starting for the Giants 😯 pic.twitter.com/GZFgiLvlUD
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) September 28, 2025
Smith said the Giants should have started Dart in Week 1 itself if he was ready. “It makes no sense,” Smith concluded. However, most fans remain convinced that starting Dart was the correct decision.
Last week, the Giants suffered a blowout 22-9 loss against the Chiefs. Dropping to an embarrassing 0-3 record, Wilson’s performance was especially criticized. The QB completed 18 passes in 32 attempts for 160 yards with two interceptions.
Fans, visibly frustrated with Wilson, ended up booing the QB at the venue. They demanded that the Giants bring out Dart as their QB1, hoping that they could salvage the rest of the season. Of course, there’s little chance the Giants can pull off a postseason run.
Seahawks Legend Questions Russell Wilson’s Hall of Fame Credentials?
Following his Week 3 performance, Seattle Seahawks legend Richard Sherman and Hall of Fame tight end Tony Gonzalez called out Wilson in a recent appearance. “If ever there was somebody who played himself out of a Hall of Fame, it’s Russell Wilson,” Gonzalez said.
Following up on that, Sherman added: “Without that legendary defense [in Seattle], he’s been 4-11, 7-8, 0-3 to start with the Giants…he was a winning football player in Seattle. And now you get to go on your own and prove, ‘I’m going to be dominant,’ and it just hasn’t worked out that way.”
The reaction to Sherman’s comments was mixed. While many called out his performance, they believed Wilson still deserved a spot on the HoF.
Wilson is a low-ranked quarterback in the NFL in PFSN’s QB Impact Score through three games, with a 65.5 grade. Under Wilson’s leadership, the Giants’ offensive ranking has slipped to a Grade D- in PFSN’s Offense Impact metric.
