Report: Giants benching QB Russell Wilson, starting rookie Jaxson Dart

After an 0-3 start to the year, the New York Giants are planning to bench veteran quarterback Russell Wilson in favour of rookie Jaxson Dart for their Week 4 matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers.

Here’s what you need to know.

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Dart’s first start will be at home when the Giants welcome the Chargers to MetLife Stadium on Sunday. Drafted 25th overall by New York, the former Ole Miss pivot has backed up Wilson for the first three games of the season.

The team also has veteran Jameis Winston on the depth chart.

Head coach Brian Daboll was non-committal on sticking with Wilson when he met with the media on Monday.

Wilson struggled to generate any momentum in the Giants’ 22-9 home loss against the Chiefs on Sunday. He completed just 18 of 32 passes for 160 with no touchdowns and two interceptions. The fans booed Wilson late in the first half after his second thrown pick.

Fans have been vocal about their desire to see the rookie Dart, cheering when he came on the field for a snap in the second quarter on Sunday before later booing Wilson.

It seemed like only a matter of time before Dart would earn the starting role after New York traded up in the draft to select him. Dart started training camp with the third-string offence, but quickly impressed enough to surpass Winston on the depth chart and earn the backup job for Week 1.

Dart’s first NFL test comes against a top-10 Chargers defence that is allowing an average of just 182 passing yards per game.

The Giants are likely hoping Dart’s ability to run the ball will give the offence a much different look than it’s had through the first three weeks of the season.