The New York Giants entered the 2025 NFL season with high hopes and the excitement that comes with a fresh start. After a disappointing 3-14 campaign in 2024, the team made bold moves in the offseason, including acquiring veteran quarterback Russell Wilson. Giants fans dreamed of stability, leadership, and a revitalized offense under Wilson. But the first three weeks of the season have painted a far more troubling picture.
The team’s offense has struggled to find rhythm, the defense has been inconsistent, and the losses have been demoralizing. In Week 1, the Giants fell 21-6 to the Washington Commanders, failing to score a single touchdown. Week 2 brought a high-scoring 40-37 defeat to the Dallas Cowboys, where the offense showed flashes but ultimately could not finish drives.
By Week 3, a 22-9 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs cemented the concerns that the Giants are not living up to expectations, leaving fans frustrated and desperate for answers. Russell Wilson’s performance has been a major factor in the team’s struggles. He couldn’t deliver a single win in the past 21 days for the Giants.
Adding to the uncertainty surrounding Wilson, ESPN analyst Evan Cohen recently indicated that the veteran quarterback could soon lose his starting job. Cohen believes that Wilson’s struggles to make a quarterback change are a real possibility. For die-hard Giants fans, this news is a punch to the gut. Wilson was supposed to be the anchor and solution after years of instability at the quarterback position, yet now he faces a very public challenge to his role.
The NFL analyst Evan Cohen said, “The Giants obviously are not good. They’re 0-3. They have been awful for a long period of time. Russell Wilson, the question comes up: how long can he start? I do think Russell Wilson’s going to hit the bench soon. I really do.”
And apparently agreeing with him, former Giants defensive lineman and Super Bowl Champion Chris Canty also added, “That is an incredible revelation by you, sir. Is Russ going to hit the bench? I think Russ is going to hit the bench. We’re giving away his throwing the ball away on fourth down? What are you thinking about, Russ? What are you doing? It’s the end of the game. What are you doing? It’s fourth down. Why are you throwing the ball away?” Chris Canty was laughing at Russell Wilson’s throw on fourth down, where he was supposed to either run or give it to the running back.”
Through the first three games, Wilson has thrown for 778 yards, completing just over 59.1% of his passes. And that’s too with only three touchdowns and one interception. While these numbers are respectable in isolation, they do not reflect the inconsistency and missed opportunities that have plagued the Giants’ offense. Wilson has often failed to convert crucial third downs, and the team’s inability to sustain drives has left the defense on the field far too long, contributing to the overall poor performance.
According to ESPN’s Expected Fantasy Points leaderboard, Wilson ranks eighth among quarterbacks with an expected 11 points per game. It surely highlights a disconnect between potential and actual output. Advanced analytics from PFF also suggest that Wilson’s deep ball accuracy and pressure-handling have lagged behind his usual standards, raising questions about his fit in the Giants’ offensive system. Now, if the starting QB change becomes a reality, the big challenge before the Giants’ head coach Brian Daboll will be picking between Jameis Winston and the rookie QB Jaxson Dart.
Russell Wilson on the Hot Seat: Will Giants Turn to Jameis Winston or Jaxson Dart?
While speculating that Wilson will be benched, the ESPN analyst has also added, “I don’t think Jackson Dart’s going to replace him. I think Jameis starts before Jackson Dart starts.” When asked why he thinks so, Evan Cohen replied, Because if they have a plan as to when he starts, Russ’s play should not impact that.” He did not stop there.
Cohen added, “So if they believe that Russell Wilson cannot be a starter for them, and Jackson Dart has not actually hit those marks that Dan Graziano, ESPN NFL insider and reporter, has told us that he has to hit in order for him to start, then Jameis should start first. If you told me right now they cut Russell Wilson, Jameis became the starter, and Jackson Dart’s the backup, I’d believe that.” If Wilson were to be benched, the Giants face a difficult decision between Jameis Winston and rookie Jaxson Dart. Though some experts believe Dart is expected to overtake Winston, this was a different opinion from any analyst.
Winston, a veteran with a track record of high-level performance mixed with inconsistency, offers experience and familiarity with pressure situations. Along with that, he can also stabilise the offense and provide leadership that the team desperately needs.
On the other hand, Jaxson Dart, the first-round rookie, has shown flashes of talent and potential during practices. But he has yet to prove himself in a regular-season game. The coaching staff must weigh Winston’s experience against Dart’s upside, while also considering fan expectations and the long-term direction of the franchise.
Statistically, Winston brings a higher floor given his career averages in completion percentage, touchdown-to-interception ratio, and passing efficiency. In contrast, Dart offers a higher ceiling but carries the risk typical of a rookie quarterback adjusting to NFL defenses. Analysts and fans alike are split: some see Winston as the safer, more reliable choice. In contrast, others believe Dart represents the future and could ignite a turnaround if given the opportunity. Though QB3, Jameis Winston, has been preparing for the competition in the QB room to be a starter, his future is also in limbo.
The decision will have ripple effects on the team’s offensive strategy, player morale, and the fanbase’s confidence in the front office.
The New York Giants now stand at a crossroads. Russell Wilson’s future as the team’s starter hangs in the balance, and the looming decision between Winston and Dart will define the trajectory of the season.
For Giants fans, the situation is as heartbreaking as it is tense: the hope that Wilson would lead the team to stability is fading. And the uncertainty surrounding the quarterback position also adds to a growing sense of frustration. The coming weeks will be critical, as the Giants’ coaching staff must decide whether to stick with their veteran star, turn to a proven veteran in Winston, or take a calculated risk on the rookie Dart. Well, time will tell the real future, but the future of Big Blue rests squarely on these pivotal choices.