When the Chiefs walked off the field with a 22‑9 win, the roar of boos at MetLife Stadium wasn’t just about a loss – it was a clear message aimed at Russell Wilson. The veteran’s 18‑of‑32 passing line, two costly picks and zero touchdowns turned a routine Thursday night fixture into a live‑wire of frustration, and the chants for rookie Jaxson Dart grew louder with each mistake.
Wilson’s Night at MetLife: A Turning Point
Wilson entered the game with a reputation for big‑play ability, but on Sunday night the stats told a different story. He threw for a paltry 160 yards, both interceptions coming on deep balls that should have been routine catches against a Chiefs secondary that’s not exactly elite. Next Gen Stats logged a 0‑for‑6 record on passes over 20 yards, a stark contrast to the 450‑yard fireworks he displayed against Dallas just a week earlier.
The crowd’s reaction was unmistakable. Midway through the second quarter, after the second interception intended for Malik Nabers was snatched by Jaylen Watson, a chorus of “We want Dart!” rippled through the stands. Even the home‑field advantage felt like a pressure cooker, with fans hooting and jeering every stalled drive.
Coach Brian Daboll, who hand‑picked Wilson as the starter, found himself walking a tightrope. In the post‑game press conference he admitted, “I would be booing, too,” acknowledging the fans’ disappointment while refusing to say whether the rookie would replace the veteran. He did, however, slip in a few minutes for Dart, letting the rookie try a situational package that included a single three‑yard carry.
- Completion %: 59.1% (through three games)
- Passing yards: 778
- TD‑INT ratio: 3‑3
- Passer rating: 78.5
- QBR: 33.9
Those numbers sit well below league averages and raise an uncomfortable question: can Wilson reverse this slide fast enough to keep the Giants afloat, or is the franchise already steering toward a rebuild?
Dart’s Rise and the Future of the Giants
Jaxson Dart entered the NFL as the 25th overall pick in the 2025 draft, carrying the hopes of a fanbase starved for a home‑grown quarterback. Although his snap count remained limited, his presence on the field sparked an energy the Giants haven’t felt in years. Even a single three‑yard rush turned into a rallying point for supporters chanting his name.
Daboll tried to keep the focus on development, saying, “Jackson’s progressing well… I have a lot of confidence in him.” He stopped short of naming a starter, but the gesture signaled he’s not blind to the clang of the crowd. In the next two games – a home showdown with the Los Angeles Chargers and a road trip to New Orleans – the coaching staff faces a pivotal decision: stick with Wilson and hope he finds his rhythm, or hand the reins to Dart and start building for the next era.
The Giants sit at 0‑3, and the window for a mid‑season quarterback swap is closing fast. Analysts point out that the team’s defensive line still shows promise, but a quarterback who can sustain drives and avoid turnovers is essential. If Wilson can cut the interceptions and rediscover his deep‑ball accuracy, he might still salvage the season. If not, Dart’s limited but promising snaps could become the seed for a longer‑term plan.
Fans, players, and the front office are now watching every snap, every press conference, every tweet. The next few weeks will reveal whether the Giants continue to ride the veteran’s experience or pivot to the rookie’s potential, shaping the franchise’s direction for years to come.