One is the quarterback of now, the other is the QB1 of the future for the New York Giants, but both represent very different offenses for Big Blue. The differences between Russell Wilson and Jaxson Dart were notable during the Giants’ 31-12 win over the New York Jets in preseason Week 2.
Each signal-caller took to the field at MetLife Stadium on Saturday, August 16, but Dan Duggan of The Athletic saw two very different schemes in action. Duggan explained how with “Wilson, it was mostly under center, heavy personnel, play action. With Jaxson Dart, it was mostly shotgun, 11 personnel and no-huddle.”
It’s hardly a shock the Giants would have alternate plans for how to travel with Wilson in the lineup and for how to win with Dart at the controls. Yet, the sharp contrasts between the styles of offense is notable.
Those contrasts point to a less-than smooth transition if the Giants need to turn to 2025 NFL draft 25th pick Dart ahead of schedule this season. It’ll happen if the more conventional attack operated by Wilson fails to spark a dormant offense into life.
Giants Playing It Safe With Russell Wilson
The blueprint Daboll noted when Wilson saw action against the Jets proved the Giants are playing it safe with the 36-year-old, but for how long? A traditional, pro-style offense with the QB under center and using run looks to set up the pass is a conventional way to move the ball that should protect 10-time Pro Bowler Wilson, who has been erratic during recent stops with the Denver Broncos and Pittsburgh Steelers.
Those struggles haven’t been enough to dissuade Brian Daboll from trusting Wilson with the starting job, but the Giants’ head coach generally prefers something more dynamic. Something like shotgun sets, multiple-wide receiver looks and a designed quarterback running game that made Josh Allen a Pro Bowler when Daboll was offensive coordinator for the Buffalo Bills.
Wilson is no longer able to run this kind of offense, so the Giants need a formula catered more to his experience. Not to mention enough play-action concepts to afford Wilson the extra time he needs to continue his excellence throwing long.
Daboll may be content to scale things back for a while, but he’ll know Dart can open up the playbook in more exciting ways.
Jaxson Dart Already on Upward Surge for Giants
Dart is already winning his coach over, and Daboll needed only two words to sum up what’s impressed him most about the rookie. The praise is merited after Dart “completed 13 passes in a row,” per NFL Network’s Brian Baldinger, who endorsed the former Ole Miss star’s “attention to detail” against the Jets.
Allowing for the obvious caveats that it’s only preseason, and against backup players no less, this looked like the kind of football Daboll wants from his offense. Fast, simple and dynamic, qualities Dart is exuding in the right moments.
The Giants want to exercise caution with their potential prized asset at football’s most important position, but it won’t be easy to maintain that stance if Wilson can’t match the same pace. Something he won’t be able to do in a more limited system.
Daboll will then find himself besieged by calls for Dart to get his chance to produce when the games count.
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