Ever since quarterback Russell Wilson set foot in the New York Giants, we all knew that he was going to be head coach Brian Daboll‘s main man. No matter how Jaxson Dart performed in camp, it was never really an open QB competition. The only thing that could’ve seen Wilson go down was horrid performances. And that’s exactly how it went down. Jaxson Dart is QB1, and Russell Wilson’s reaction is not what you’d expect.

According to The Athletic and NFL insider Dianna Russini, Russell Wilson was a real pro when he heard the news. “Daboll broke the news face-to-face with both Wilson and Dart. Wilson was disappointed, but was the ultimate professional,” they pointed out. And that’s exactly what you’d expect from a veteran like Russ. Calm and composed, a true professional.

Ever since the news broke out, the trade rumours around Wilson exploded. Let’s be real, any team in need of a veteran QB is going to at least take a peek. And with Joe Burrow dinged up, Cincinnati, in particular, would be smart to make a move.

But according to The Athletic, the Giants aren’t rushing to push him out. The value of the locker room presence that Wilson brings. Since joining New York, the veteran quarterback has gained widespread respect throughout the locker room for his positive energy and mature leadership approach. His professional demeanor and mentorship qualities have made him a valuable presence in the quarterback room. In just a few months, he’s gelled with the guys, and he’s clearly leaning into a mentor role.

For Jaxson Dart, that kind of guidance could be huge, and Wilson’s own words show he’s on board with helping the young QB grow.

“No, I’m focused on helping this team win. I’m focused on helping Jaxson. I’m focused on me getting ready to be the best version of me today on Wednesday. I want to be here. I love this organization, the process of it all. The guys in the locker room. I’m not giving up on us in this season,” Wilson said.

Wilson’s situation parallels what went down over at Atlanta this summer. Kirk Cousins was named QB2 over sophomore Michael Penix, and he took it just the way Wilson did. Professionally. “From day I got in, I always told him I had his back if he ever needed me, and he’s been the same for me ever since. He called me ‘I just want you to know I’m here in your corner. No bad blood between us,” Kirk had told Penix after he got demoted to QB2.

Russ has been a big letdown on the field so far this season. But having a player with this mentality in the locker room? It can never go wrong. But let’s talk about it. Did Brian Daboll make the right decision?

Did Russell Wilson deserve to be demoted?

Russell Wilson has a way of winning over every fanbase he joins. And it wasn’t much different with the Giants. So when the crowd was chanting Dart’s name against the Chiefs, you know it’s bad. Brian Daboll heard it loud and clear.

Veteran credibility or not, Wilson just wasn’t getting it done. Honestly, it’s a small miracle it took three weeks for Daboll to pull the plug. Most fans were calling for a switch after Week 1. And if you’re still on the fence about whether the move was right, the numbers that follow will pretty much slam the door on any debate.

Russell Wilson saved one of the worst games of his career for a prime-time game against the Chiefs. The Giants’ offense as a whole was a mess, stumbling to just 281 total yards. But Wilson’s night was downright brutal: 18/32, no touchdowns, and two ugly picks. Yes, it was that bad.

And it’s been the same story from the jump. Week 1 against the Washington Commanders? Rough. Wilson went 17-of-37 for a measly 168 yards, no touchdowns, no picks, and a 59.3 rating while guiding a lifeless Giants offense to just 231 total yards. Week 2 against the Dallas Cowboys, he teased a heartbeat with 450 passing yards in a 40-37 shootout, but it’s simply not enough.

While league observers expected the Giants to release him for salary cap relief, the organization chose to keep him as the backup quarterback. His seamless integration into the team culture and positive influence on the quarterback group convinced management he was worth retaining despite the financial considerations.

Jaxson Dart, meanwhile, has been making noise since the moment he put on a Giants helmet. He lit up training camp and carried it into preseason, going 26-of-35 for 291 yards, two passing touchdowns, and even sneaking in a rushing score over just two games. Sure, we don’t know yet if he can handle the real NFL heat, but based on everything he’s shown so far, Brian Daboll didn’t exactly roll the dice here.