Lead: On Sunday, Sept. 7, 2025, the New York Giants opened their season in a 21-6 road loss to the Washington Commanders, and veteran quarterback Russell Wilson failed to lead a touchdown drive. Wilson completed 17 of 36 passes for 168 yards and the Giants settled for two field goals. After the game, head coach Brian Daboll addressed questions about Wilson’s status as the starter, offering measured support while acknowledging the team’s collective need to improve. The exchange sharpened immediate scrutiny over the quarterback room as the Giants prepare to face the Dallas Cowboys next week in Dallas.
Key Takeaways
- Russell Wilson finished Week 1 with 17 completions on 36 attempts for 168 yards and zero passing touchdowns in a 21-6 loss to Washington.
- The Giants scored only two field goals; the offense produced zero touchdowns in the opener.
- Coach Brian Daboll publicly stated he has confidence in Wilson but emphasized a teamwide need to improve before the Week 2 trip to Dallas.
- Rookie Jaxson Dart is listed as the primary backup quarterback, keeping benching questions alive if struggles continue.
- Wide receiver Malik Nabers was described as visibly frustrated by the offense’s performance during the game.
- Media and fan discussion about the starting job intensified after Daboll’s cautious postgame comments.
Background
The Giants entered the 2025 season with elevated expectations after signing Russell Wilson in the offseason, betting that his experience could stabilize and uplift a team that has sought consistent QB play. At 36 years old, Wilson arrived with a high-profile résumé but also public questions about whether his skill set still aligns with peak NFL demands. New York’s coaching staff and front office framed the move as a short-to-medium-term attempt to compete while surrounding Wilson with playmakers and schematic support.
Those expectations amplified the stakes for Week 1. The Giants opened on the road against a Commanders defense that had been retooled in the offseason, and observers expected the team’s offensive identity to become clearer in the opener. Instead, the lack of a touchdown and the inability to sustain drives raised immediate questions about timing, protection, and the chemistry between Wilson and his receiving corps. With a rookie backup on the depth chart, every subpar performance naturally fuels speculation about stability at the position.
Main Event
The Giants’ offense struggled to convert opportunities into points through three quarters, generating only two drives that resulted in short-range field goals. Wilson’s 17-for-36 line reflected intermittent connection with targets and several stalled drives inside Washington territory. Penalties and play execution issues compounded the problems; those mistakes prevented longer possessions that might have helped the veteran settle into a rhythm.
On the sideline and during postgame interactions, Malik Nabers—described in coverage as visibly frustrated—was emblematic of the wider offensive disappointment. Whether that frustration stemmed from drops, route timing, or schematic breakdowns is subject to film review, but it was evident to observers that the unit did not operate cohesively. Daboll faced a direct question about Wilson’s role as the starter in the next game and, after reiterating confidence, emphasized collective responsibility across coaches and players.
When pressed about whether his comments were a ringing endorsement, Daboll repeated that he had confidence in Wilson and that he would review tape with his staff. He also made a pointed line: “This game isn’t on Russell Wilson,” signaling a desire to spread accountability beyond a single performer. The exchange did little to settle external debate about whether a quick change might be considered if struggles persist.
Analysis & Implications
Short-term, Daboll’s public confidence buys Wilson a limited margin for correction, but coaches often reserve bench decisions until performance trends become clearer. A single opener rarely prompts immediate personnel overhaul—especially for a veteran with Wilson’s track record—but the optics are unfavorable. Media narratives can accelerate if Week 2 in Dallas produces another low-output outing; therefore, the next game functions as a near-term referendum on whether the opening result was an anomaly or a symptom of deeper issues.
Longer-term implications hinge on evaluation categories that coaching staffs prioritize: decision-making under pressure, ability to process defensive adjustments, accuracy on intermediate and contested throws, and leadership in the locker room. If film review shows schematic flaws or protection breakdowns, the staff could address those without changing the starting lineup. Conversely, if the film highlights recurring accuracy or timing problems from Wilson, the organization may face harder choices about its QB timeline.
The presence of rookie Jaxson Dart as the backup complicates the narrative. With a rookie available, the team has a potential internal alternative but also a developmental obligation—benching a veteran for an inexperienced player can create downstream roster and confidence issues. The franchise must weigh short-term competitiveness against long-term roster construction, especially with the Cowboys looming and a division schedule that will quickly test the team’s playoff prospects.
Comparison & Data
| Category | Week 1 vs WAS |
|---|---|
| Completions | 17 |
| Attempts | 36 |
| Passing Yards | 168 |
| Passing TDs | 0 |
| Team Points | 6 |
Context: the box-score above captures the basic quarterback output and team scoring from the opener. Offenses typically aim for sustained drives and red-zone efficiency; failing to produce touchdowns while the opposing team scores three times inside the 30-point range yields important diagnostic film for coaches. The Giants’ lack of touchdown scoring contrasts with league expectations for a veteran-led offense and will shape how coordinators rework play-calling and protection schemes in practice this week.
Reactions & Quotes
“I’ve got confidence in Russell,”
Brian Daboll, New York Giants head coach
Context: Daboll used that phrase when a reporter asked if Wilson would remain the starter. He followed with a promise to re-evaluate tape with his staff ahead of Week 2.
“This game isn’t on Russell Wilson. I want to make that clear.”
Brian Daboll
Context: Daboll aimed to spread responsibility across players and coaches after a one-score output and offensive miscues. Observers noted the intent but also read it as a defensive posture.
“The offense looked out of sync on multiple drives,”
Local beat reporter (postgame observation)
Context: Local coverage emphasized timing issues and execution lapses; the quote summarizes multiple beat reports that highlighted breakdowns rather than solely quarterback miscues.
Unconfirmed
- Any immediate plan to bench Russell Wilson is unconfirmed; the coaching staff has not announced a timeline for quarterback evaluations beyond routine tape review.
- Reports of internal friction between Wilson and individual receivers—described as visible frustration—remain unverified without direct confirmation from players or the team.
- Details about injuries or undisclosed physical limitations affecting Wilson in the game have not been confirmed by the team.
Bottom Line
The Giants’ Week 1 loss and Russell Wilson’s subdued statistical line did not produce an immediate, formal change at quarterback, but Daboll’s guarded public support leaves room for continued scrutiny. The coaching staff framed the result as a collective failure, which preserves the starter role in the short term while signaling that accountability will be distributed.
What matters now is the response over the next week: film-driven corrections, protection adjustments, and any demonstrable improvement in third-down and red-zone execution. If the Dallas game yields another low-output performance, pressure for personnel moves will increase. For now, Wilson remains the starter in name; his status as the long-term answer will depend on measurable improvement on tape and results on the field.