On Wednesday, the term often used by the Joe Shane and Brian Daboll administration was notably absent regarding the decision to bench Russell Wilson in favor of rookie Jackson Dart.
“This is my decision,” Daboll stated before practice. “We’re moving forward with Jackson, and we’ll prepare him for this week and the rest of the season.”
So, where was the collaboration? What discussions did Shane have with owner John Mara?
“This is the direction I chose, and this is where we are heading,” the Giants head coach emphasized. “We’ve had good conversations. Those are private, but ultimately, the decision is mine.”
In essence, if Daboll, who holds a 1-13 record in his last 14 games, faces pressure, he will do so with the quarterback he picked to steer his future.
Wilson, who was originally expected to have a longer stint after signing as a free agent and being named the starter, took most of the first team reps throughout training camp.
A fresh start for Wilson might inadvertently bolster Shane’s position as general manager.
It would have been wise for Shane to negotiate a more advantageous deal for Wilson’s one-year contract.
“I won’t delve into specifics,” Daboll mentioned. “I believe this is best for our team. We need to improve significantly, and that’s our focus.”
Did his own job security come into play here?
“It’s a long season,” Daboll remarked. “We lost three games. We haven’t pulled everything together, prompting the shift to Jaxson.”
Also, Daboll disclosed that an anonymous report from ESPN discussed a “sense of urgency” within the Giants, suggesting the shift didn’t solely originate from the coaching staff.
“I wouldn’t say I’ve had any conversations with a player about this,” Daboll said.
Daboll is expected to continue calling plays for Dart alongside offensive coordinator Mike Kafka, with Dart’s first start set against the Chargers at MetLife Stadium.
