From the start of the season, it was clear that Brian Daboll was on the hot seat as head coach of the New York Giants after two forgettable seasons, especially the most recent one, which ended with a 3-14 record. Heading into 2025, there was no margin for error, and the reality was that Daboll’s situation was extremely complicated.
For the first time since joining the Giants in 2022, Brian Daboll began a season with a quarterback other than Daniel Jones, who was released a few weeks before the end of the 2024 season. The choice was the experienced Russell Wilson, who beat out rookie Jaxson Dart and Jameis Winston.
That may have been Daboll’s biggest mistake. Aside from Week 2, when Wilson shined against the Cowboys, he delivered two very poor performances. That’s when Daboll gave Dart his opportunity, and the energy of the offense completely changed. The question the former head coach surely asks himself now is what would have happened if Dart had started from Week 1.
Brian Daboll sent a message to John Harbaugh
What Jaxson Dart did was impressive. He defeated playoff teams like the Chargers and the Eagles, came close to beating the Broncos, and was genuinely fun to watch. Unfortunately, in Week 10, during a great game against the Chicago Bears, he suffered a hard hit that left him concussed and out of the game. The Giants also blew the lead, and after that loss, Brian Daboll was fired.
At the moment, the Giants are searching for a new head coach, with the main requirement being prior experience in the role. Their top target is John Harbaugh, who was dismissed after 18 years as head coach of the Baltimore Ravens, where he enjoyed a highly successful tenure.
There is no doubt that Brian Daboll holds deep appreciation for the quarterback he selected and understands his talent. According to The Athletic’s Ian O’Connor, Daboll personally called John Harbaugh to recommend taking the Giants’ job, especially to work with Jaxson Dart, whom he believes is a rising star in the league-a fact Dart proved during his rookie season.
In his first year, Jaxson Dart recorded 24 total touchdowns in 12 games as a starter, averaging two per game. It was a sensational performance, and with the decline of the Cowboys and Commanders, along with an uncertain future for the Eagles, the Giants could surprise the NFC East in the coming seasons.
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