The 2025 season opened like a storm cloud over Russell Wilson’s career. In a game where he averaged a mere 4.5 passing yards per attempt, every throw seemed measured, cautious, as if the weight of the franchise pressed down with each snap. He’d joined the Giants to lead them in every way, but the scoreboard told a harsh story; one that carried on to Week 3.

A 6-21 loss, two sacks, and a forgetful passer rating of 59.3 for the season opener already had one wondering if GM Joe Schoen had indeed ‘looked under every rock’ for his QB. Wilson was far away from the league’s 2nd-best leader in passer rating, which he is. But before we could dismiss it as a one-off, 80,690 people at the MetLife Stadium on Sunday night made it clear that they were ready to move on. Boos filled the air for Wilson while demand for No.2 QB Jaxson Dart grew louder.

Mr. Unlimited, though, isn’t paying any heed. “I think there’s highs and lows. There’s always tough moments. You got to have thick skin. You got to be able to know who you are, know the player that you are, know what you’re capable of,” he asserted in the post-game press conference. “Obviously, I’ve been able to show that throughout my career and, obviously, last week and everything else too, what we’re capable of as an offense.”

Last week, Wilson indeed looked like his vintage self. In the Arlington night, the QB completed 30 of 41 attempts for 450 yards. Three touchdowns danced through the air, each a testament to his genius. The spectacle of a performance, which also included 25 or more passing yards on seven occasions, had him entering Week 3 as the league’s leader in passing yards. But by the end of the night, it was evident why Dart was being asked to step up.

Trailing 9-22 in the 4th quarter, the Giants were on 4th and goal play at 2:35. Just then, the Chiefs‘ defense forced Wilson into a scramble and a throw, which, to the dismay of thousands, flew past the end zone. No touchdown. The QB finished his night on 18 of 32 passes, 160 yards, zero touchdowns, and two interceptions, which summoned flashes of the Giants’ new-look offense under Dart.

After a 3-14 season, the Giants (0-3) are looking for a spark that seems to have been lost for about a decade. Wilson couldn’t have aligned with the vision any better. He was ready to work with the underdog mentality and firmly believed a winning season wasn’t out of reach. But the analysts say the Giants have the toughest schedule of them all, touted to finish last. And Wilson’s regression is hardly of any help.

Age, arm strength, and some bad sacks suggest that the Giants need to move on. His $10.5 million, and not $35 million contract may as well be making it’s own case. But the Giants may see no urgency. Their first round pick, an Ole Miss product, Dart might be an answer, but he is very much intended to develop and be seasoned under the veteran leadership of Wilson first. “Each day we’re trying to groom him [Dart] and when he has to play, he’ll be ready to play,” head coach Brian Daboll says.

The threat is real for the QB with 10 Pro Bowl appearance and the coach isn’t sugar coating.

Giants HC sides with fans over Russell Wilson

“I’d say he made good decisions,” HC Brian Daboll said about his starter after losing the week 1 matchup. It was clear. Everyone trusted him. The coach saw the potential of a groundbreaking season. But even he couldn’t hide his disappointment after the Chiefs defeated them in week 3.

The coach sided with the fans and replied, “I’d be booing, too,” on his O-line struggles. Now, that’s the real problem Russell Wilson has to tackle. Daboll has never publicly criticized Mr. Unlimited. Yet he has to answer fans. If the same show continues, he would be forced to make a change.

Moreover, this is the worst start to his 4-year head coaching career. In 2022, they won the first two games of the season. The very next year, they had to wait until the second game for a victory. After losing the first two games, they won the 3rd week game last season. But this year, the wait continues. And it is making fans and the players restless.

For the time being, Russell Wilson needs to secure his spot. And that can only happen if they win the week 4 game against the Chargers.