One of the most compelling storylines of the 2025 NFL season is unfolding in the New York Giants’ quarterback room. Just three games into the year, Head Coach Brian Daboll made a stunning decision: he benched veteran quarterback Russell Wilson. After a difficult 0-3 start, Daboll decided it was time to see what the team’s first-round draft pick, Jaxson Dart, could do. The move immediately paid off, as Dart led the Giants to their first win of the season in Week 4 against the previously undefeated Los Angeles Chargers.
Why Did Brian Daboll Bench a Super Bowl Champion for a Rookie?
In the 2025 season, Russell Wilson knew he would again be looking for a new home. His time in Pittsburgh had ended after two disappointing seasons in Denver. A Super Bowl Champion, Wilson spent his first ten seasons with the Seattle Seahawks, but since 2021, he has played for four teams. Daboll has not entirely closed the door on Wilson starting again this season, but that seems highly unlikely after Dart showed what he is capable of in Week 4.
The Giants’ head coach did not say much about his decision to bench Wilson, but he took full accountability. “I did it. Not going to get into the specifics,” Daboll stated. “I think it’s the right thing for our football team, and that’s why I’m doing it.”
On paper, the decision was shocking. It came just one week after Wilson threw for 450 yards in a thrilling overtime battle against the Dallas Cowboys. The 36-year-old did everything he could to lead New York to victory, going 30-for-41 with three touchdowns and one interception. Ultimately, the Giants fell short, 40-37, but Wilson’s performance was a highlight, as he finished with a 73.2% completion percentage.
However, Wilson showed few signs of life outside of that explosive game. In Week 1, he averaged just 4.5 yards per completion, which was only slightly better at 5.0 in Week 3. He consistently failed to push the ball down the field, and his completion percentage was far from ideal. With the team already missing star wide receiver Malik Nabers, there was little room for error from the quarterback position.
The final straw came after a disastrous 22-9 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 3, where Wilson completed only 56.3% of his passes. Wilson ranked 30th in PFSN’s QB Impact metric through those first three weeks, earning a “D” grade. After that loss, Daboll had seen enough.
In Week 4, Dart shocked the world in his NFL debut. While his numbers were not out of this world, he led the Giants to a 21-18 victory over a Chargers team that had entered the game undefeated. In the win, the rookie threw for one touchdown and ran for another, giving the team and its fans a much-needed spark.
However, the rookie quarterback was not able to build on that performance as he struggled in the Giants’ Week 5 loss to the New Orleans Saints.