‘Career is over’ – Russell Wilson’s Giants job at risk as not-so-subtle Brian Daboll threatens to pull plug after Week 1

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Sep 8, 2025 - 22:25

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‘Career is over’ – Russell Wilson’s Giants job at risk as not-so-subtle Brian Daboll threatens to pull plug after Week 1

The Russell Wilson experiment is unraveling faster than many feared for the New York Giants.

One week is all it has taken, and defeat against the Washington Commanders, a division rival on the opening weekend of the NFL season, to be precise..

Wilson struggled in his Giants debut and his starting role is under threat

Led by Rookie of the Year Jayden Daniels, and fresh from a trip to the NFC title game, Washington was always going to be tough for a Giants team that finished with the joint-worst record in the NFL last time around.

But veteran quarterback Wilson, who signed a one-year, $10.5 million contract with team, departed Northwest Stadium with his tail between his legs.

In a nightmare debut, the 36-year-old was unable to get his new team into the end zone, and completed just 17 of 37 passes (45.9 percent) for a 168 yards through the air and a 59.3 rating.

New York managed just 231 yards of total offense, and converted only 4 of 16 third downs in a dismal 21-6 defeat, as they relied on kicker Graham Gano to avoid a shutout.

There was little to cheer for Giants fans on Sunday, and the damaging loss could force head coach Brian Daboll to make a change at quarterback after just one week of the 2025 season.

Russell Wilson starting job under threat

Speaking after Sunday’s loss, Daboll refused to point the finger directly at Wilson, and added he’s still ‘got confidence in Russ’.

However, when asked if it was fair to assume that the veteran will be the team’s starter next week against the Dallas Cowboys, the head coach failed to offer a definitive answer.

“We’re going to get home and look at our game,” Daboll said, when asked if he would consider starting highly-rated rookie Jaxson Dart, who impressed in preseason.

Daboll was then pushed on his ‘non-answer’ and added: “We’re talking about after every game… I’ve got confidence in Russ.

“We’ll go back, evaluate the tape. This game isn’t on Russell Wilson.”

NFL analyst Prisco called for the Giants to make a decision on Wilson after one game

Dart could take the starting role after Daboll’s comments

Given Daboll was non-committal on his veteran’s future after just one game, CBS Sports’ Senior NFL Columnist Pete Prisco argued on Sunday that the quarterback’s career is ‘already over’.

Wilson’s career ‘over’ after Week 1 performance

“He shouldn’t be playing,” Prisco said of Wilson, after his struggles against the Commanders.

“He’s not very good, his career is over, the way I see it, as a starting quarterback in the NFL. He’s a back-up.

“(The Giants) drafted a kid, you clearly like him, Jaxson Dart. Get on with it.”

Like Prisco, many fans took to social media to argue it was already time for the Giants to take a chance with the rookie — especially after seeing frustration from their star wide receiver.

Giants’ sideline frustration caught on camera

Malik Nabers, who exploded in his rookie season with 1,204 yards and seven touchdowns, was kept quiet by the Commanders defense as he returned on Sunday.

Nabers was frustrated by the Commanders defense in Week 1

He was seen with a towel over his head as he sat on the bench

He led the Giants in receiving with 71 yards and five catches, but barley had a sniff of the endzone.

As the second quarter was about to get under way, cameras captured a clearly upset Nabers engaging in an animated sideline conversation with Coach Daboll.

The shot then cut to the pair on the field, their exchange ended with Daboll trying to high five his star wideout, who might not have seen the gesture and didn’t respond.

Late in the game, Nabers also looked dejected on the bench, with a towel thrown over his head.

He addressed the frustration he felt after the loss.

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“I mean, I said I was going to speak up, when it was time for me to speak up, but just trying to get guys going, trying to get everything going,” Nabers explained.

“I felt like we were lacking out there. The energy wasn’t right. So, I took it upon myself to try to boost people up. It’s two competitive people going at it. He wants to win; I want to win.”

If both Nabers and Daboll want to win, as they say, then surely it’s only a matter of time before Dart gets a shot at the starting role.

But for now, it appears the Giants are ‘muzzling’ their first-round pick.

Dart has been held back from the media in recent weeks

Dart held from media availability

According to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk, after Sunday’s season-opening loss to the Commanders, Dart was willing to speak to reporters.

However, the team kept him from speaking — as they have done a number of times in recent weeks.

“Giants spokesman again violated NFL’s clear-cut media rules by shutting down interview before it could begin,” reporter Darryl Slater added on X, detailing the situation.

“Giants have refused to let Dart or Jameis Winston talk to media, disregarding long-standing league protocol.”

It remains to be seen why the organization are apparently ‘muzzling’ Dart, but the quarterback situation in New York will certainly be one to watch heading into Week 2.

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