Insider: Giants could pull the Band-Aid off 'sooner than later'
New York Giants starting quarterback Russell Wilson‘s Week 1 struggles have naturally led to calls for the Giants to start first-round pick Jaxson Dart in Week 2. Head coach Brian Daboll reaffirmed Wilson’s starting status for Week 2 with the goal of keeping him under center for the foreseeable future. However, repeated poor performances will only intensify the pressure to let Dart take over the offense.
Giants were content to let Jaxson Dart develop, but that changed
The Giants seemed poised to resist, for now. They made it clear throughout the offseason that they didn’t feel the need to start Dart right away. Instead, Daboll and offensive coordinator Mike Kafka have prioritized his long-term development by keeping him on the sidelines until the coaches are satisfied with is progress, per ESPN’s Dan Graziano.
A strong preseason from Dart may have “expedited the process,” according to Graziano’s colleague, Jeremy Fowler, making it likely that the rookie plays “sooner than later.” The Giants named Dart the backup quarterback to enter the season, signaling their comfort with putting him on the field on game days if needed. Daboll and Kafka also installed a specific package of offensive plays for Dart, though none were used in Week 1.
As a result, it seems more likely that New York would give Dart a chance before going to Jameis Winston. Winston was designated as the team’s emergency third quarterback in Week 1, meaning that Wilson and Dart would both have to get hurt for him to enter the game.
The Giants may also be cautious of playing Dart behind a Giants offensive line that allow pressure on 48.9% of Wilson’s Week 1 dropbacks, per Next Gen Stats. Left tackle Andrew Thomas is still working his way back to full health, so the team may not want to throw Dart to the wolves until Thomas is ready to protect his blind side.
Commanders kicker Matt Gay takes responsibility for TNF loss after brutal night
The Washington Commanders dropped to 1-1 after their Thursday Night Football loss to the Green Bay Packers, and kicker Matt Gay made no excuses for his role in the defeat. The veteran specialist missed two critical field goals, leaving valuable points on the board during key stretches of the second half.
The Commanders offense found some rhythm late, but the early missed chances from special teams became too much to overcome. Gay connected on a 51-yard field goal in the first half but missed attempts from 58 and 52 yards in the second. Both would have narrowed the margin and changed the momentum of the game. The missed kicks highlighted the pressure placed on the Commanders special teams unit to deliver in tight moments.
Following the game, the 31-year-old kicker addressed reporters. The Athletic’s Nicki Jhabvala posted the full video to her X (formerly known as Twitter) account, capturing a visibly frustrated but accountable Gay as he met the media head-on.
“I take full responsibility for this loss.”
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ClutchQuiz
Question 1 of 4
What was Matt Gay's successful field goal distance?
41 yards
45 yards
51 yards
58 yards
The comments struck a chord with Commanders fans, with many respecting the honesty following a disappointing performance. Despite a strong career track record—converting more than 84 percent of his field goal attempts—Thursday night was a rare misstep on a national stage. His willingness to face the backlash underscores his leadership and veteran presence in the locker room.
While much of the spotlight fell on Gay, the game saw other concerning trends. The defense allowed 404 total yards, and despite a late spark from second-year quarterback Jayden Daniels, the team could not mount a full comeback. Daniels finished with 200 passing yards and two touchdowns, but Washington's offense produced just 11 yards in the first quarter.
As the Commanders regroup during their mini-bye ahead of a Week 3 matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders, Gay’s accountability could become a catalyst rather than a scapegoat. With the locker room already navigating injuries to Austin Ekeler and Deatrich Wise Jr., the veteran kicker’s response sets the tone for how the team plans to bounce back.
