IMAGE: Feb 1, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; Seattle Seahawks mascot Blitz in Super Bowl XLIX at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-Imagn Images / Imagn Images

Russell Wilson Benched After Week 3 Struggles - Giants Turn to Rookie Jaxson Dart

Nearly two decades into one of the more decorated careers by a quarterback in the modern era, Russell Wilson's journey has hit another inflection point. After just three games with the New York Giants in 2025, Wilson is officially headed to the bench. Taking over the starting job is rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart, as the Giants pivot toward a different vision for the future - a future that no longer includes Wilson under center, at least for now.

It’s a stark turn for a player whose accolades once had him in Canton-worthy conversations. But the signs have been there.

Inconsistency, a shrinking windows-of-opportunity kind of playstyle, and a reluctance (or inability) to attack the middle of the field have all crept into Wilson’s game over the years. Those struggles caught up to him quickly in New York.

Let’s go back to Week 2. On paper, it looked like a throwback performance - 450 passing yards against the Cowboys in an overtime loss.

The stat line popped, but the outing ended on a sour note with a crushing interception in extra time. It was a microcosm of Wilson’s current game: moments of brilliance overshadowed by critical mistakes at inopportune times.

By Week 3, the highs had faded. Wilson looked out of rhythm, rushing throws and hesitating in others.

He tossed two interceptions and completed just a handful of meaningful passes. The Giants’ offense stalled, and the coaching staff clearly saw enough.

Now, it’s Jaxson Dart’s turn. The rookie likely isn't a finished product - and no one's pretending he is.

But the decision here is more philosophical than tactical. The team wasn’t going to win many games with the version of Russell Wilson we've seen lately.

So why not give the rookie reps and see if there's something to build around?

Make no mistake: Wilson still possesses one of the prettier deep balls in football. He can drop a bucket shot down the sideline with ease - that has always been his calling card.

The problem is that in today’s NFL, you have to win in the intermediate space to keep an offense moving. And that’s been an area where Wilson has struggled noticeably, particularly since his final days in Seattle.

Whether it's vision, mechanics, or trust in the play design, the middle of the field has largely been a no-fly zone.

There's also the matter of depth. Veteran Jameis Winston is still in the room, which complicates Wilson’s status further.

If the Giants are looking to develop young talent and lean on a vet in case of emergency, Winston may be the more logical backup from here on out. That puts Wilson’s roster spot in legitimate jeopardy.

The former Super Bowl champ now finds himself in a rare and difficult position - quarterback limbo, without a clear next stop. His time with the Broncos ended in disappointment. His arrival in New York was viewed as a fresh start, but that optimism lasted barely three weeks.

It’s hard not to think back to how Wilson’s Seattle tenure ended. Reports at the time suggested tension with then-GM John Schneider and head coach Pete Carroll.

Whether Wilson overplayed his hand or simply misjudged the situation, the end result was an exit from a franchise that had once been built around him. Fast forward to today, and it feels like that arc has repeated itself - this time without the benefit of a Super Bowl window or a superstar defense backing him up.

The Giants’ decision tells us one thing above all: they're done waiting for the past version of Russell Wilson to show up. And unless something changes drastically, the rest of the league may be thinking the same.