Giants to go with rookie QB Dart, bench NFL veteran Wilson / Photo: ELSA - GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP/File
New York Giants coach Brian Daboll confirmed Wednesday that NFL rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart will start against the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday, saying it was his decision to bench veteran Russell Wilson.
"All I can tell you is we're going with Jaxson and we're getting ready to play," Daboll told reporters Wednesday, saying he would keep the conversations he had with each player private.
"It's my decision, and we're going with Jaxson," said Daboll, adding that he expected Dart to be the starter going forward and Wilson his backup.
The Giants have opened the season 0-3. Dart, the 25th pick in April's draft, has been used on half a dozen plays over two of those games but has yet to attempt a pass in an NFL game.
Dart will face a tough test against the unbeaten Chargers, but the Giants hope he can spark an offense that was unable to muster 300 offensive yards in two of their three games so far.
Daboll said he wasn't expecting perfection from the 22-year-old Dart.
"You put him in there because you think that he's done enough to show you that he can go out there and compete," the coach said. "And he's done that every step of the way."
Dart said he was told of the change on Tuesday and the first people he told were his parents.
"I'm ready," he said.
Wilson, who guided the Seattle Seahawks to a Super Bowl title in the 2013 season, said he remained committed to the Giants.
"I'm focused on helping this team win," he said. "I'm focused on helping Jaxson ... I love this organization, I love the process of it all. I love the guys in the locker room. I'm not giving up on us and this season."
A.Louis--LCdB