Patience is a virtue. At least, that's what they say. But patience is relative and context matters, so when New York Giants fans call for rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart after a Week 1 loss, it's not as big of an overreaction as it looks on the surface.
This is a team that's been stuck in a rut for years, and a frustrating 21-6 season-opening loss to the Washington Commanders won't have Big Blue faithful feeling any better about the direction of the franchise. Russell Wilson was supposed to come in and change the narrative. But after a 17-of-37 performance for 168 yards, it's just more of the same. Head coach Brian Daboll needs to pivot fast.
Related: 2 winners (and 5 clear losers) from Giants' Week 1 dumpster fire vs Commanders
Giants fans aren't the only ones calling for Dart — the national media is feasting on the storyline, too. Former NFL linebacker turned controversial hot-take media personality Emmanuel Acho was the latest to chime in on the QB conundrum, offering a surprising take on the Speakeasy podcast, that calls it like it is:
"“Let me lose with somebody that’s the future of the franchise. Somebody that can learn from the losses, not just somebody that will take losses.”"
Emmanuel Acho via The Speakeasy podcast
It's only a matter of time before Jaxson Dart replaces Russell Wilson
First things first, he actually makes a strong point. The 22-year-old rookie out of Ole Miss still has a lot to learn, and throwing him into the fire could speed up his development.
A loss for the former Rebel is a huge learning experience, while a loss for Russ is just another of the 78 he's already had in his 14-year career. It's safe to say that Wilson isn't exactly looking at the Week 1 loss as a teachable moment.
Look no further than his robotic, curated, tone-deaf postgame response... he's proud of how the team "left it all out on the field" — huh? Where has this man been? Was he playing in the same game fans were watching? It's that kind of stuff that proves Acho might be onto something. These are the formative years for Dart. Why not give him all the in-game chances to learn in real-time how to become a franchise-leading quarterback?
The last thing this team needs is its leader taking Ls on the chin like a champ while the organization nosedives right into another lost season. Say what you want about Emmanuel Acho, but he’s not wrong... it’s time to lose with the future, not keep losing with the past.
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