Pressure mounts on the Giants' coaching staff
The New York Giants have stumbled through their first three games, and the spotlight is squarely on head coach Brian Daboll. After a crushing loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, reporters pressed Daboll about the possibility of elevating rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart. The coach responded with his usual diplomatic opacity, offering no concrete timetable for any change.
Russell Wilson, the veteran starter who entered the season as a high‑profile acquisition, is now the center of a growing controversy. Despite leading the league in passing yards through week two, his numbers plummeted against the Chiefs: 160 yards, two interceptions, and a fumble‑prone goal‑line drive that effectively ended the Giants' comeback hopes. Fans vented their frustration with audible boos, while the stadium erupted each time Dart entered the field.
Jaxson Dart: A spark in the crowd, not yet a starter
Drafted in the second round, Dart has become a talking point for both the fanbase and the locker room. So far, his NFL experience is limited to short read‑option (RPO) packages; he has yet to throw a pass in a regular‑season game. When he lines up, MetLife Stadium’s crowd gives a brief but enthusiastic cheer—a stark contrast to the negative reaction Wilson receives when the offense stalls.
Daboll’s earlier remarks about Dart’s development were measured. "Whether they run RPO offense, whether they run some, usually when you come to a league, the offenses are going to be different. Again, it's one game, he's had good practices, he's had practices we got to improve on," the coach said. The statement hints at solid practice performance, but it also underscores that the rookie is still in the learning phase.
Backup Jameis Winston sits between Wilson and Dart on the depth chart. Winston, a former starter with a mixed track record, could become the immediate bridge if Daboll decides to bench Wilson. Yet the coaching staff has not indicated any plans to pull the plug on the veteran just yet.
Adding to the offensive woes, the line has struggled to protect Wilson. All‑Pro left tackle Andrew Thomas, who finally returned from injury, lasted only a half before being replaced by rookie Marcus Mbow. Mbow, primarily a guard at Purdue, was forced into a blind‑side protection role for which he has little experience. The lack of stability along the line has contributed to hurried throws and the turnover spree that plagued the Chiefs game.
General manager Joe Schoen and Daboll are both feeling the heat. A 0‑3 start puts their job security on a fragile pedestal, and the quarterback debate has become the narrative people follow daily. The organization’s next steps could hinge on a single decision: keep Wilson in the game to buy time for his potential rebound, or hand the reins to Dart sooner than expected.
While Daboll’s answers remain cryptic, the message is clear: the staff is watching every snap, every practice rep, and every fan reaction. If Wilson’s performance does not improve, the window for Dart to see meaningful time could widen dramatically. The Giants’ season is still early, but the quarterback axis is already tilting, and every week will reveal whether the rookie gets a chance to rewrite his own story—or remains a footnote in a turbulent campaign.