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Phil Simms shares harsh reason the Giants had to bench Russell Wilson

Originally posted on Larry Brown Sports
By Steve DelVecchio | Last updated Sep 24, 2025 2:34 PM ET

The New York Giants gave Russell Wilson just three games to prove he was the right person to lead the team in 2025, and one franchise legend feels head coach Brian Daboll had no choice but to make a change.

Daboll confirmed on Wednesday that rookie first-round pick Jaxson Dart will start over Wilson in Week 4 against the Los Angeles Chargers. Phil Simms, who won two Super Bowls as the quarterback of the Giants, was asked during an appearance on SiriusXM’s Mad Dog Sports Radio if he believes Dart needs more time on the bench.

Simms agreed with Daboll that the time to start the former Ole Miss star is now. Why? Because fans are beginning to feel that the Giants are not worth watching.

“Did they have to play him this week? Yes. They had to,” Simms said. “I see all the empty seats. (Owners) know empty seats too. And you’ve got to listen to the public sometimes.”

Former Giants QB Phil Simms on the Giants decision to switch to rookie QB Jaxson Dart (via @MadDogRadio):

“Did they have to play him this week? Yes. They had to. I see all the empty seats. (Owners) know empty seats too. And you've got to listen to the public sometimes."
— Ralph Vacchiano (@RalphVacchiano) September 24, 2025

Simms added that he finds it “nuts” for people to say Dart should sit out for two months or longer.

“I thought Jaxson Dart would stand on the sidelines for maybe four or five games,” Simms said. “You stand over there, Adam, I was one of these guys. I was just a fan the first game or two like, yeah, this is pretty cool being on the sideline and watching the game. And then Week 3 I remember looking out there going, you know, I can do this. And then by Week 4 you’re like, shoot, when are they gonna play me? And I’m sure Jaxson Dart is kind of in that same mold.”

More Phil Simms on rookie QB Jaxson Dart, and whether he should have sat longer (via @MadDogRadio). pic.twitter.com/QuTS0wxIuD
— Ralph Vacchiano (@RalphVacchiano) September 24, 2025

The Giants are 0-3 with Wilson as their starting QB. Wilson went 30/41 for 450 yards, 3 touchdowns and an interception in New York’s 40-37 overtime loss to the Dallas Cowboys in Week 2. He played poorly in the Giants’ other two games.

As Simms alluded to, fans were beginning to get restless with Wilson in the starting lineup. Many of them made that clear with the three-word chant they unleashed during Sunday night’s Week 3 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.

The only way Wilson was going to keep his starting job for an extended period was if the Giants won games. They have yet to do that this season, and Daboll is hoping Dart will provide a spark.

This article first appeared on Larry Brown Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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