After weeks of quarterback uncertainty and a rocky start to the season, the New York Giants have made a bold decision: rookie Jaxson Dart will start under center. The move comes after the team struggled to find consistency with Russell Wilson and sought a long-term solution at the position. The Giants believe Dart’s skill set, poise, and potential leadership qualities give them the best chance to develop a franchise quarterback moving forward, though Dart has a lot to prove.
On Sept. 23, the organization officially declared Dart as QB1, signaling a clear shift in direction and raising the stakes for head coach Brian Daboll and general manager Joe Schoen. The decision is not just about giving a rookie a chance. But it also comes with heavy scrutiny on the team’s leadership at the higher levels, as former Giants defensive tackle and ESPN analyst Chris Canty points out.
Jaxson Dart Must Pass the Eye Test, Says Chris Canty
On Unsportsmanlike Radio on Sept. 24, Canty was asked if Daboll and Schoen could survive a poor season record so long as Dart looks like the team’s long-term answer at quarterback. His response was a bit stark. Canty said, “Yeah, I think it’ll be enough. Remember, Eli Manning in his rookie year wasn’t good, right? They were five and four when they switched from Kurt Warner to Eli. Eli went one and six the rest of the way. But everybody knew, ultimately, that Eli was going to be the guy. And after that season, that’s when the winning started. Peyton Manning wasn’t good in his rookie year, throwing 28 interceptions. So, I don’t know that it needs to translate into the team having a definitive number of wins. I think it ultimately is going to be determined by the eye test. Do we have a quarterback? Do we know that this is going to be our guy?” Canty’s analysis makes it clear: Dart doesn’t need immediate wins to justify the decision. Instead, he needs to look the part and demonstrate leadership, and showcase potential as a franchise quarterback.
But while Daboll has to prove his worth as a starting quarterback and not give a chance to QB3 Jameis Winston, there is no doubt that his stats, performance, and the team’s win-loss record will decide if Brian Daboll and Joe Schoen are going to be there with the Giants. For Daboll and Schoen, Dart’s performance carries enormous implications. Canty argued that the team’s leadership now depends on whether the rookie can validate their decision.
Former Giants Super Bowl Champion said, “That’s the thing that Jaxson Dart has got to go out there and prove. And Brian Daboll and Joe Schoen are dependent on it in order to save their jobs. Because how they’ve handled the quarterback situation is clunky, to say the least.” Canty also noted the high cost of benching Wilson early in the season: “They literally just lit $10 million on fire by benching Russell Wilson after three games.”
Now, with yesterday’s decision on starting Dart for the next matchup, the Giants are entering a critical period. By officially naming Dart QB1, they have placed their credibility and also the careers of their top decision-makers on the line. If Dart passes the eye test and shows he can handle the pressure, Daboll and Schoen could regain confidence from fans and ownership.
If not, the move may come to define their tenure in New York. Dart now carries more than the football; he holds the fate of the Giants’ head coach and general manager in his hands. But, though fans are calling out Daboll for firing, what does his journey in New York state say about him?
Three Years In, Brian Daboll’s Giants Future in Limbo
Brian Daboll was appointed as the 20th head coach of the New York Giants on January 28, 2022. In his inaugural season, Daboll led the Giants to a 9–7–1 record, per Pro Football Reference, securing their first playoff berth since 2016. The team’s postseason run included a Wild Card victory over the Minnesota Vikings, marking their first playoff win since 2012.
But after losing against the Philadelphia Eagles in the divisional round on Jan. 21, 2023, the Giants have never qualified for the playoffs. That’s what breaks Giants’ fans’ hearts when they look at their competitor teams clinching playoff spots year after year. Daboll’s leadership earned him the 2022 NFL Coach of the Year award, highlighting his ability to rejuvenate a franchise that had experienced consecutive losing seasons.
However, the following seasons have been far less forgiving. The Giants regressed to a 6–11 record in 2023 and then hit a franchise low of 3–14 in 2024, including a 10-game losing streak. As of September 24, 2025, the team sits at 0–3, raising questions about Daboll’s consistency and long-term impact. Daboll’s overall record stands at 18–35–1 in the regular season, a winning percentage of roughly .349. So, there is a pattern.
The Pattern is, Daboll has shown flashes of strategic brilliance and quarterback development. But sustained success has remained elusive. Now, with rookie Jaxson Dart named QB1, Daboll’s own job security may hinge entirely on how the young signal-caller performs under pressure.