The New York Giants continue to find their way, trying to figure out their offense. Meanwhile, the media took to the national airwaves to chastise them. This week, the team benched quarterback Russell Wilson and promoted rookie Jaxson Dart to the starting spot. As a result, heavy and blistering criticism continues to fall on the organization.
ESPN Host Stephen A. Smith Lambasts NY Giants over Quarterback Situation Involving Jaxson Dart
As mentioned, the coaching staff benched starter Wilson and elevated Dart, the Ole Miss rookie. This prompted Smith to air his feelings:
“This is their fifth starting quarterback since last season, to show you what kind of chaos exists with the New York Giants. Since the Giants won the Super Bowl in 2011, they’ve been to the playoffs twice. They’ve had a winning record three times. This is a horrible, horrible organization right now. It’s not his (Dart’s) job to save Brian Daboll’s job. Go out there, play well. Against the Saints, you should look relatively decent.”
“This is a horrible, horrible organization right now.”
—@stephenasmith on the New York Giants pic.twitter.com/2WQ2pLhsoC
— First Take (@FirstTake) September 25, 2025
Nothing Smith said is factually incorrect. Moreover, the numbers actually paint a worse picture. Since winning Super Bowl 46 against the New England Patriots, the Giants have failed to qualify for the same.
In addition, the offense could not score 300 points in a season multiple times. The defense fared much better, allowing at least 400 points.
This season, the Giants rank 21st in scoring (17.3 ppg). Wilson currently holds the lowest completion percentage of his 14-year career (59.1%). While his deep ball occasionally connects with wideouts in stride, he became too reliant upon the big play to bail him out of a situation, leading to inaccurate passes.
In the eyes of many, including Smith, Daboll firmly sits on the hot seat. With just 18 wins in 54 games, the team could consider making a coaching change before the season ends.
In his first season, the team made the playoffs and upset the Minnesota Vikings in the Wild Card. Since the 2024 season, a 9-28 record and a winless start to the season do not bode well for Daboll keeping the head coaching job.
For Dart, the start against the Saints could be his chance, giving the front office and fans a glimpse into what the Giants’ future could look like. New Orleans provides the kind of opponent that possibly sets the rookie up for success. The Saints allow 30 points a game. Also, their defense scored the fourth-most passing touchdowns this season with seven. Can Dart inject enthusiasm into the team with strong play?
