On Wednesday, New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll made it official when he announced that QB Russell Wilson is headed to the bench, and the team would start rookie QB Jaxson Dart on Sunday when the 0-3 Giants host the 3-0 Los Angeles Chargers.
In three starts with the Giants, the 36-year-old Wilson, who will back up Dart, had one good game against the Cowboys sandwiched in between two bad games against the Commanders and Chiefs.
Daboll says the decision to go with Dart over Wilson was his call.
“In terms of the quarterback situation, I met both with (Russell Wilson) Russ yesterday and Jaxson (Dart) privately,” Daboll said on Wednesday. “Russ was nothing but a pro, which I would expect him to be. It’s my decision. We’re going with Jaxson. We’re going to get him ready to play this week and the remainder of the season. He’s going to do everything he can. Russ will be the backup. The conversations that I’ve had with these young men will be private, the details will be private. All I can tell you is we’re going with Jaxson, and we’re getting ready to play. I’m not going to add too much to it. Those are private conversations, it’s my decision and we’re going with Jaxson.”
Wilson, a 14-year veteran, has essentially been a starter his whole career, so this will be something new for him. However, he’s willing to do whatever it takes to help the Giants win.
“I’m focused on helping this team win,” he said. “I’m focused on helping Jaxson. I’m focused on getting ready to be the best version of me today, on Wednesday. I want to be here. I love this organization. I love the process of it all, I love the guys in the locker room. I’m not giving up on us in this season. I just don’t know any other thought, any other thing, than finding a way through. Sometimes you’ve got to climb under the wall. Sometimes you’ve got to fight through it. Sometimes there are battles and things that you face in life or in sport. I’m going to help lead the way in every way I can to make sure that we figure that out. The best thing we can do, though, is stay in great belief, in faith of who we are. I think that a few plays here and there, you know, the season’s a little bit different. I’m not discouraged about our football team. I’m not discouraged about myself, that’s for sure.”
The 22-year-old Dart, who was the 25th overall selection in this year’s draft, says he’s going to give it everything he’s got for the Giants.
“I’m just going to lay everything I have on the line,” he said. “That’s just the way that I play the game. When I step in between those lines, nothing else in the world matters to me except doing everything that I can to win it. Whatever rep that is in practice, whatever competition it may be, I just feel like I’m a competitor. Whatever I’ve got to do to prepare for the week, when I’m on the field to get a win, I’m going to give it my all to do that.”
This move is not a surprise, especially given Wilson’s poor performance against the Chiefs. Is it too soon for Dart? Not sure. He played well in the preseason and looked somewhat ready, but that was just the preseason. Now, it becomes real. Hopefully, Dart is prepared.
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