New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll declined to confirm Russell Wilson as the starting quarterback for Week 2 following a disappointing 21-6 loss to the Washington Commanders in the season opener. This non-committal stance has sparked speculation about a potential change under center, with rookie Jaxson Dart emerging as a possible alternative.
In his Giants debut, Wilson struggled significantly, completing 17 of 37 passes for 168 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions. He was particularly ineffective under pressure, managing only 2 completions on 12 attempts for 26 yards, and was sacked twice. The offense as a whole mustered just 231 total yards and averaged 3.2 yards per rush, failing to capitalize on red zone opportunities during the game.
Daboll, in post-game comments, avoided directly committing to Wilson for the upcoming matchup against the Dallas Cowboys. He stated, ‘We’re going to get home and look at our game,’ and emphasized, ‘This game isn’t on Russell Wilson. I have confidence in Russ. We have to do a better job all the way around.’ His responses highlighted a need for overall improvement from coaches and players alike.
The Giants signed Wilson to a one-year deal in the offseason, hoping his experience and leadership would address offensive woes that saw the team rank 30th and 31st in points per game the past two seasons. However, the Week 1 performance did not show the anticipated uplift, raising questions about the decision-making and execution.
Rookie Jaxson Dart, who had a strong preseason, was named the backup over veteran Jameis Winston for this game, and Daboll acknowledged that Dart had earned the role. Although a package was planned for Dart, it wasn’t used, but his presence on the sidelines adds pressure on Wilson to perform or risk being benched.
Wilson, a 10-time Pro Bowler, remained positive, focusing on controllable factors and noting that the team ‘competed our butts off’ but faltered in critical moments. The loss echoed previous seasons’ struggles, underscoring the urgency for the Giants to find solutions quickly.
As the team prepares for a divisional game against the Cowboys, Daboll’s upcoming decision on the starting quarterback will be closely watched. If Wilson starts, he must demonstrate marked improvement, or the Giants may turn to Dart to inject new energy into the offense and salvage their early season prospects.