Why Giants ‘had to’ make Jaxson Dart switch now: Phil Simms

Phil Simms has a theory as to why the Giants made the move from Russell Wilson to Jaxson Dart after just three weeks. 

It wasn’t so much about what was going on between the lines, he said, but more about the chatter happening off the field. 

“Did they have to play him this week? Yes. They had to,” Simms said during an appearance on SiriusXM’s Mad Dog Sports Radio. “I see all the empty seats. [Giants owners] know empty seats too. And you’ve got to listen to the public sometimes.”

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Simms added that he assumed Dart would “stand on the sidelines for maybe four or five games,” but thought it was “nuts” for people to think it would go much later than that. 

“I was one of these guys,” Simms said. “I was just a fan the first game or two like, ‘yeah, this is pretty cool being on the sideline and watching the game.’ And then Week 3, I remember looking out there going, ‘you know, I can do this.’ And then by Week 4 you’re like, ‘shoot, when are they gonna play me?’ And I’m sure Jaxson Dart is kind of in that same mold.”

As Simms alluded to, Giants fans began calling for Dart to play over Wilson during their loss to the Chiefs on Sunday.

“We want Dart,” fans chanted as the veteran quarterback threw an incomplete pass toward star receiver Malik Nabers in the back corner of the end zone at the end of the first half.

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Giants head coach Brian Daboll apparently heard the demands, naming Dart his starting quarterback on Tuesday. 

Daboll said Wednesday that he expects the rookie Ole Miss product to start for the rest of the 2025 season. 

Dart has played only six offensive snaps during the regular season, but he impressed during the preseason, completing 32 of 47 passes for 372 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions, while also running the ball six times for 52 yards and one touchdown.

He’ll look to get Big Blue’s first win of 2025 on Sunday when the Giants welcome the Chargers to MetLife Stadium.