Giants Name Jaxson Dart Starter; Trade Interest Grows

The New York Giants benched veteran Russell Wilson after an 0–3 start and named rookie Jaxson Dart the Week 4 starter. Wilson said he will stay, mentor Dart and not request a trade, but NFL insiders expect him to emerge as a trade candidate before the Nov. 4 deadline. Through three games Wilson completed 59.1% of his passes for 778 yards, three touchdowns and three interceptions, including a career-high 450 yards in Week 2. Wilson’s contract — $10.5 million total with $8 million paid as a signing bonus — leaves low base-salary exposure for an acquiring team, and injured, QB-needy clubs such as the Cincinnati Bengals (after Joe Burrow’s Grade 3 turf toe and starter Jake Browning’s struggles) have been identified as plausible suitors, with analysts suggesting roughly a third-round pick as a hypothetical price. The Giants, who would have Jameis Winston as an experienced backup behind Dart, appear willing to move Wilson for the right offer despite his public commitment to remain.