Giants Confront Critical Dilemma Following Jaxson Dart and Russell Wilson's Preseason Clash with the Bills
Giants' Rookie QB Shines, but Wilson Keeps Starting Role
In a surprising turn of events, the New York Giants' first-round draft pick, Jaxson Dart, has been making waves in the preseason with his dynamic play. The rookie, who joined the team before his preseason debut, has shown poise, pocket presence, and mobility that has left some Giants fans clamoring for a change at quarterback.
However, the Giants' coaching staff, led by Brian Daboll, has remained committed to starting veteran Russell Wilson for the 2025 season. Wilson's extensive NFL experience, including a Super Bowl championship, is seen as valuable for building chemistry with teammates and mentoring the young Dart.
Dart, who has four college seasons under his belt, started at USC in 2021 and transferred to Ole Miss for the 2022, 2023, and 2024 seasons. During his time at Ole Miss, he set several records, including most wins by a starting quarterback (28) and career passing yards (10,617). He also won the Conerly Trophy, awarded to the best FBS player in Mississippi.
In contrast, Wilson has completed 64.7% of his passes in his career, totaling 46,135 yards with 350 touchdowns and 111 interceptions. He completed 214 out of 336 pass attempts in 2023, with a completion percentage of 63.7%. Despite his impressive career statistics, his preseason drives have been steady but unremarkable, leading some to question whether Dart could offer more upside for the Giants at quarterback.
Dart's rookie performance in the preseason included 12 completions on 19 attempts for 154 yards and a touchdown without interceptions. His debut against the Buffalo Bills was particularly impressive, with some fans describing his first-half performance as featuring unreal passes.
While Dart's strong preseason play has fuelled debate about whether the Giants should accelerate his promotion, the team's leadership remains committed to a cautious approach for now. The Giants traded up in the first round of the draft to select Dart, signalling their long-term belief in his potential as their future franchise QB. For now, Wilson will provide veteran stability and leadership, allowing Dart to acclimatise to the professional level and learning curve.
| Aspect | Jaxson Dart | Russell Wilson | |------------------------|-------------------------------------|------------------------------------| | 2025 Preseason Performance | Strong rookie showing, poised, mobile, clean execution | Steady but unremarkable drives, experienced vet | | Team Role | Rookie, developmental QB, high potential | Starting QB, mentor, veteran leader | | Coaching Staff Decision | Not starting immediately, viewed as future starter | Starting Week 1 to build chemistry and leadership | | Fan Sentiment | Growing excitement, calls to start immediately | Mixed—some fans want him benched/cut | | Long-Term Outlook | Franchise QB prospect, high ceiling | Short-term starter, stabilizing presence |
As the 2025 season approaches, the Giants' faithful will be eager to see how Dart develops and whether he can challenge Wilson for the starting role. For now, the team is focused on building a winning culture and preparing for the upcoming season.
Footnotes:
- NFL.com
- ESPN
- Sports Illustrated
- Pro Football Focus
- The Athletic
- Despite the impressive preseason performance of Jaxson Dart, the Giants have opted to stick with American football veteran Russell Wilson as their starting quarterback for the 2025 season.
- In contrast to Wilson's steady preseason drives, Dart's rookie outing in the NFL received praise for his poise, mobility, and clean execution, which has rekindled debate about the future of the Giants' quarterback position.
- As the New York Giants prepare for the 2025 season, the potential of rookie QB Jaxson Dart in cricket remains an untapped opportunity, given his success in college football with USC and Ole Miss.
