After dropping their first three games of the season, the New York Giants have officially turned to rookie Jaxson Dart to lead the offense. But this move isn’t only about on-field performance-it’s also about tension building behind the scenes.
Veteran quarterback Russell Wilson, once seen as a respected figure for his upbeat personality and leadership off the field, appears to have lost the support of many teammates. Some within the organization reportedly feel that Wilson’s approach to leadership is more performative than genuine.
CBS Sports’ Kyle Long addressed the situation directly: “I want to say this about Russell. The thing that has been lacking with Russell is guys that have played with him don’t necessarily feel like it’s real, OK? Sometimes they feel like he has formulated a personality to play quarterback.”
This sentiment isn’t new. Even during his time with the Pittsburgh Steelers, critics took issue with what they called Wilson’s “toxic positivity,” describing his attitude as forced or artificial. Some former teammates have gone as far as calling him “fraudulent,” questioning the authenticity of his locker room presence.
Dart’s honesty and grit spark a new energy
As Wilson faces criticism, Jaxson Dart is quickly gaining respect. Rather than polished soundbites, Dart brings fire and transparency-a quality that Giants teammates have embraced.
“When you get a guy like Jaxson Dart who comes in and wears his heart on his sleeve and is willing to fight for those extra yards, willing to put his body on the line, it means the world to a football team,” said Kyle Long.
That passion has ignited support across the team. Diana Russini of The Athletic shared that numerous players, including team leaders, immediately reached out to show Dart their support after the change.
“And inside the Giants locker room, I’m told, they’re fired up. Several players on both sides of the ball, including team captains, reached out right away with calls and FaceTimes to let Dart know they’re behind him,” she wrote.
Rookie or not, Dart already has the confidence of Brian Daboll and Mike Kafka, who are both impressed by his approach.
“That’s what you want in a quarterback. Swagger, confidence, I think they’re kind of one and the same. How you want to define it, I just think Jaxson has that,” said Kafka.
As the Giants prepare to face the undefeated Los Angeles Chargers, Dart‘s promotion marks more than just a quarterback switch-it signals a shift in culture, chemistry, and trust within the locker room.
Read the full article here
