Russell Wilson hasn’t even played one regular season snap with the New York Giants yet, and there are already fans calling for rookie first-rounder Jaxson Dart to start in Week 1 after a tremendous preseason performance.
Of course, this is par for the course in New York City, and Wilson likely knew exactly what he was getting himself into when he chose to sign a one-year contract with the quarterback-needy Giants. However, he might have expected a little bit more time as the QB1 before Dart was hot on his trail.
Following the final preseason outing — and ahead of an important Week 1 debut in blue — Wilson sent a strong five-word message to fans on August 23.
“Ready for the Real Thing,” the Super Bowl champion QB posted, with a few preseason photos of himself with the Giants.
For what it’s worth, the X post drummed up over 2,500 likes in just under four hours, so Wilson still has plenty of fans and believers on social media.
Giants Will Throw Russell Wilson to the Wolves in 2025
GettyNew York Giants quarterback Russell Wilson (right) celebrates with rookie QB Jaxson Dart (left) after a preseason touchdown.
Wilson has more self-belief than most, but he finds himself between a rock and a hard place with the Giants entering Week 1.
No, Dart won’t jump Wilson by September 7. He may not even be the second quarterback on the depth chart as the Giants take the field against the Washington Commanders in Week 1, let’s say New York is being truthful about not wanting to trade Jameis Winston.
In reality, none of that matters for Wilson’s long-term status as the NYG QB1.
The Giants are likely well aware that the beginning of their 2025 schedule is a nightmare. Sure, they’re hoping to steal some games and come out of it still in the playoff hunt, but at the very least, head coach Brian Daboll and general manager Joe Schoen must keep Dart out of the fray.
That’s where Wilson comes in, and you better believe the veteran is getting thrown to the wolves with Big Blue.
Now, maybe Wilson surprises everyone and comes out on top, leading the Giants through their most difficult portion of the schedule with a winning record. Either way, so long as Dart’s resume as the potential franchise QB of the future remains unblemished, Daboll and Schoen have life.
It’s a win-win for the current Giants’ HC/GM tandem, and it’s the main reason fans likely won’t see Dart again for at least a month or two.
When Might Jaxson Dart Play Again After His Enticing Preseason Showing?
Although a contingent of Giants fans might want to see Dart immediately, Wilson will get his opportunity as the starter. The question is: How soon will Daboll turn to the rookie?
The earliest advantageous opportunity feels like Week 5 against the New Orleans Saints, but then you set up Dart with extremely challenging matchups against the Philadelphia Eagles (twice), Denver Broncos, and San Francisco 49ers over the next four weeks.
That brings us to the second “soft landing spot” on the schedule, Week 10 versus the Chicago Bears on November 9. Although similar to the Saints matchup, that’s a road game, and the “Windy City” isn’t the easiest place to throw the football.
If the Giants bypass those two opportunities, a Week 11 home matchup against the Green Bay Packers could make some sense, or maybe a Week 13 road game versus the New England Patriots.
If Wilson makes it to the Week 14 bye, he likely kept the Giants in the hunt, but the final — and perhaps, most obvious — opportunity to start Dart could be when NYG hosts the Commanders in Week 15. Bye weeks are generally the best time to make a QB change, and if the Giants have fallen out of the playoff mix at this stage, there would be nothing stopping Daboll and Schoen from giving the rookie some run over the final four weeks.
This wide range of outcomes really depends on Wilson. His fate is in his hands, and if he wins football games, the Giants will have no choice but to play him.
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