Mel Kiper pushes back on New York Giants going from Russell Wilson to Jaxson Dart

It was a rough start to the 2025 NFL season for the New York Giants, as they were rolled 21-6 by the reigning NFC East champion Washington Commanders.

Quarterback play, which has been a struggle for the Giants since Eli Manning‘s last full season as a starter in 2018, was once again a major factor in New York’s loss. The organization brought in former All-Pro Russell Wilson this offseason as their starter, but he completed just 17/37 passes for 168 yards and no touchdowns in the loss.

Wilson’s rough debut in the blue and red led to many Giants fans clamoring for rookie Jaxson Dart to get an opportunity to start. Dart was selected with the No. 25 overall pick in the First Round of the 2025 NFL Draft out of Ole Miss and entered the season as Wilson’s backup.

During Wednesday’s edition of ESPN‘s ‘First Draft‘, NFL Draft expert Mel Kiper Jr. revealed that he believes it would be too soon to replace Wilson with Dart just one week into the regular season.

Kiper Jr. says Giants shouldn’t throw Dart to the wolves

“I mean you can work him in for packages and I know that it’s been talked about,” Kiper said. “I would not go away from Russell Wilson for five games. Give it a chance. This defense is gonna show up. Not having Andrew Thomas affected the offensive line. It’s Russell Wilson‘s first year with these guys. Let’s see how he does because the schedule is very difficult for the Giants. If you throw Jaxson Dart out there… I know he had a heck of a preseason but that was against [other occupation guys]. That’s who he played against.”

“When you get into the NFL, you don’t want it to be where he has to save the season. Let the season play out with Russell Wilson. If things go awry and you’re not winning games and he’s not playing well enough, then you move to Jaxson Dart. Once you turn the page with Jaxson Dart, you don’t look back. You gotta wait it out.”

“I gotta give Russell Wilson a month or a month and a half. I know fans want it to happen tomorrow, but I’d give it some time before I pulled the plug and went to a rookie. If Jaxson Dart gets an opportunity, I think I’d have it be in more fifth, sixth or seventh week of the season.”

Dart excelled in the preseason, passing for 372 passing yards, 3 touchdowns, and 0 interceptions. Heading into New York’s week two game against the Dallas Cowboys, Wilson remains the starter.