The New York Giants’ 2025 season has hit a rough patch, losing three consecutive games and raising serious questions about their quarterback situation. Russell Wilson’s struggles have been a major factor in the team’s offensive woes. The Giants rank 31st in both third-down and red-zone offense, with Wilson completing just 15-of-31 passes for 193 yards, no touchdowns, one interception, and a 54.9 passer rating on third downs.
It resulted in only nine first downs. In the red zone, his numbers are even more concerning: 4-of-18 for 16 yards, no touchdowns, and a 39.6 passer rating, producing just one first down. These numbers underline why the Giants have decided to give rookie Jaxson Dart an opportunity to lead the offense. Per many trusted reports, the Giants have decided to start Dart in the upcoming game against Jim Harbaugh‘s Los Angeles Chargers on Sept. 28.
But as the rookie QB is starting the upcoming games after benching Wilson, former NFL guard and Fox Sports analyst Kyle Long challenged Dart with just one task. Long said, “If you want this team to believe in Dart for the next 10 years, show me a little something this year. Ok, wet my beak a little bit.” He didn’t stop there…
Former Bears star also added, “Let me see Malik Nabors down there catching 50-50 balls. I want to see the young quarterback put his head down and blow a safety out of the water on the second or third level on a scramble. That stuff matters to offensive linemen. I know that the floor is relatively high with Russell Wilson, but we saw the floor go backwards down a floor with Russell Wilson. It’s time.”
Jaxson Dart: Can the Rookie Fix Giants’ Losing Streak?
Long’s comments highlight the challenge Dart faces in proving he can lift the offense in critical situations. The offensive line, receivers, and coaching staff will be watching closely to see whether Dart can perform under pressure, particularly on plays that require poise and quick decision-making.
The Giants’ coaching staff believes Dart’s mobility, arm strength, and ability to extend plays could provide the spark the team desperately needs. With Wilson struggling in key situations, Dart’s performance over the next few games may determine not only the outcome of the season. But he is also the future direction of the franchise’s quarterback strategy.
Dart has yet to make his regular-season debut, meaning he comes into the starting role with a clean slate. While he lacks NFL experience, his college career at Ole Miss demonstrated his potential. In his final season, Dart threw for over 4,200 yards with 29 touchdowns and just six interceptions with a 69.3% completion percentage. Along with that, he also added nearly 500 rushing yards and three scores.
To talk about his preseason, per SB Nation’s Big Blue View website, during the 2025 NFL preseason, Dart demonstrated his capabilities by completing 32 of 47 passes for 372 yards, three touchdowns, and no interceptions. Additionally, he rushed for 52 yards and a touchdown, highlighting his dual-threat potential. These stats and the energy Dart produced on the gridiron and in the fans’ hearts somewhere started the process of the Giants believing in Dart more than QB3 Jameis Winston, which former Saints QB also accepted.
Now, in the upcoming game, for Giants fans, Dart will represent a fresh start, not only to give a win but also to shut down the questions raised about his abilities by analysts such as Kyle Long. If he can meet the challenge set by Kyle Long and make an immediate impact, he could become the cornerstone of a struggling offense and the leader the Giants have been searching for. Let’s see what happens in the Chargers matchup. No doubt it’s going to be a very tough ride for Jaxson Dart on Sept. 28.
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