Russell Wilson can withstand the noise — even as the calls for his job grow after just one week.
Taking to X on Tuesday, the starting Giants quarterback posted a two-word message centered on emotional fitness after a debut to forget in Sunday’s 21-6 loss to the Commanders, a performance that sparked rallying cries from critics to replace him with rookie Jaxson Dart.
“Mentally Tough,” the 36-year-old quarterback told his 5.4 million followers.
In his first regular-season start for the Giants, Wilson completed 17 of 37 attempts for 168 yards with zero touchdowns and zero interceptions. He was also sacked twice.
When asked Sunday if he’s feeling the heat, Wilson said he’s focused on what he can control.
“I thought we competed our butts off today … they stopped us in the red zone. I think that was the name of this game,” he said.
Coach Brian Daboll, now 1-3 in Week 1 matchups, confirmed Monday that Wilson will start against the Cowboys in Week 2 after failing to commit to him after Sunday’s game.
“It’s an emotional game, it’s a tough game,” Daboll said. “In terms of making any of those decisions — really at any position or schematic changes — I’d like to do it with a clear head and watch the tape. That game doesn’t fall on Russell Wilson. We’ve got to do a better job collectively — coaching, playing — but Russ will be the starter.”
In the wake of the Giants’ season-opening loss, some sports media pundits pushed for a quarterback switch to Dart, the team’s 25th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, who dazzled in the preseason.
“You’ve got to put [Dart] in because Russell Wilson can’t play anymore, and I don’t know what the hell you’re doing with him,” Rex Ryan said Monday morning on ESPN’s “Get Up.” “There’s never an easy time. Everybody has good players. What are you afraid of? Is it gonna be worse? Hell no. Put him out there, let him go, let him ride, and let’s see. Look, if all of a sudden this guy becomes a real player, which we all assume he will. I think the kid’s got talent. He looked really good — he outplayed Russell Wilson head and shoulders in the preseason. Put him in there. What are you doing? You’re gonna play a guy that can’t do it anymore? Stop.”
Across three preseason games, Dart, 22, threw three touchdowns and zero interceptions.
Entering the season as QB2 behind Wilson, Dart said he was “shifting [his] perspective to be the best teammate” to the veteran, who spent last season in Pittsburgh.
“Russ has completely earned that role for him, and he’s played amazing, he’s played elite. I want this team to win, so whatever my role is for that to happen, I’m going to do that to the best of my ability,” Dart said.
The Giants visit the Cowboys on Sunday afternoon before hosting the Chiefs the following week (Sept. 21) on “Sunday Night Football.”
[Notigroup Newsroom in collaboration with other media outlets, with information from the following sources]
