EAST RUTHERFORD – Russell Wilson is the Giants' starter. Nothing, barring injury, was going to change that before the opener against the Commanders. The powers that be believe he gives them the best chance to win, his veteran presence capable of elevating those around him. So, he’s QB 1.
And that is completely fine. Maybe hindsight will prove the trust misplaced, but Wilson hasn’t done anything, through training camp or the preseason, to lose his job.
But Jaxson Dart has done enough for the veteran to lose some first-team reps.
It’s time to see what the rookie first-round pick can do against starters.
“I think I’m just trying to prove myself each and every day,” said Dart. “Whenever my number is called, I’m going to try to do my best.”
Any preseason column needs a disclaimer. Teams do not scheme for these exhibition games. Aaron Glenn and the Jets defensive coaches were not losing sleep as they combed through every piece of film to discover Dart’s ill-advised tendencies. All so they could design a game plan to exploit his weaknesses to survive his strengths.
The coverages teams run are vanilla. They’re carried out by players, especially once the starters are pulled, who are unlikely to stick on the 53-man roster. What Dart saw Saturday night was nothing like what he’d see on Sundays in September.
That doesn’t make what he did any less impressive. He took what he started in last week’s opener against the Bills to a complete other level.
“He’s going every day,” head coach Brian Daboll said. “Have a lot of confidence in that young man. He’s done a good job for us since he’s been here in every area you could do, off the field, on the field, leadership, moxie, intelligence.”
Dart played three series (and one play) against the Jets. He completed 14 of 16 passes for 137 yards with a touchdown. He also ran twice for five yards and another score. They’re likely three-for-three on scoring if not for a shoestring tackle of Dart on a third-down scamper by Kingsley Jonathan.
Dart, for the second consecutive week, looked calm within the pocket and in the face of a rush. He was decisive and calculated with his passing. There were times he checked down, like on his three completions to Turbo Miller. Then, when the opportunity to attack presented itself, he did.
Dart’s touchdown came after he faked a pitch to Miller right, which brought the defense that way, then threw right over the middle to Greg Dulcich for the score.
He moved within the pocket to buy time, all while keeping his eyes down the field. He was at home in the Giants up-tempo approach. Dart looked at home. The rookie looked again like he belonged.
“I’m just happy for him,” said Abdul Carter. “I’m just proud watching.”
In his two preseason games, Dart is 26 of 35 for 291 yards with two passing touchdowns and one rushing.
There’s the cliche: You can’t have your cake and eat it, too. That’s what the Giants are trying to accomplish in 2025. Dart is their future franchise quarterback. They feel Wilson allows them to compete in the present while Dart develops.
That’s what made this camp so interesting. Usually, when a team drafts a quarterback in the first round, the clock starts on readying him to play. It’s not about those in front of him anymore. You put him in once he’s ready to play. The lumps he may or may not take will only benefit him down the road. Dart’s worked exclusively as the Giants' second-string quarterback throughout camp.
It’s time for that to change. Here’s what you can glean, undeniably so, from the first two weeks of the preseason: Dart can dominate the backups. So, see what he can’t do against the starters.
“What we’re trying to do is help Jaxson be the best quarterback he can be,” said Daboll.
Dart got some action against the starters on Saturday. He played one play (a 30-yard completion on a tight end screen to Theo Johnson) and one series with the starters. Then, the backups joined him. He hasn’t seen that action in practice, though. That needs to change.
The Giants' next preseason game is on Thursday. There are two practices between now and then. It’s unclear if New England will play their starters or rest. Dart and Wilson should, at a minimum, split the reps on Monday and Tuesday. See what the rookie can’t do against elevated competition before Wilson goes back to taking everything in season.
He might struggle. That’s a very real possibility. Nothing Dart has done to this point would indicate that’s going to happen, though. Daboll and the Giants coaching staff deserve credit. They’ve taken a player many believed to be too green to see a field in Year 1 and have him exceeding almost everyone’s expectations.
But it’s time for a promotion. There’s nothing else Dart can accomplish against those he’s currently facing.
Call him up.
