There could be a quarterback battle involving Jaxson Dart at Giants training camp after all.
No, Dart is not competing to be the Opening Day starter. Head coach Brian Daboll quadrupled down Wednesday on Russell Wilson filling those shoes.
But before the first practice, Daboll left the door open to the possibility that Dart could outperform veteran Jameis Winston over the summer and be the top backup when the regular season rolls around.
New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart looking at the offensive plays on his wrist during practice at the Giants training facility in East Rutherford, NJ. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post
“We’re going to go out here and practice, and the guys are going to compete,” Daboll said when asked if the No. 2 job is up for grabs. “The roster will be set when the roster is set.”
Compare that typically evasive answer, however, with what Daboll said about setting the top of the depth chart: “These guys will be out here competing, but Russ is our starter.”
Giants coach Brian Daboll Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post
Dart took the majority of second-team reps and threw a touchdown and an interception returned for a touchdown in an up-and-down day that jibes neatly with his results in the spring. The rookie first-round pick, with the moxie to believe in tight-window throws, worked behind Winston in 7-on-7 periods but ahead of him in the 11-on-11 periods.
It could be that the Giants just want to load up the reps to expedite Dart’s development and already trust that the 11-year journeyman Winston knows how to prepare for a season as a backup without needing much practice. Or it could be a sign of letting Dart — who took a single first-team rep — dictate his own fortunes.
“At this time of year, it’s easy to look at veteran players — not just at quarterback,” Daboll said. “You kind of know, ‘All right, they got it. They’re not going to make a lot of mistakes. You trust them.
“Versus some young players who are pretty skillful — maybe they’re a little quicker, maybe they’re a little faster — but there’s two or three mistakes a day. What you evaluate is, ‘Are you an error repeater? Do you make the same mistake the next day and then the next day?’ And if that’s the case, it’s hard to put a player out there that does that. These young players, they have to learn quick.”
New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart speaking to head coach Brian Daboll during practice at the Giants training facility in East Rutherford, NJ. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post
Once Dart is formally bumped to No. 2, and not No. 3, he will be one play away from the field. Then he could start nipping at Wilson’s heels if the Giants start slowly, as underdogs in their first four games.
“The makeup of the room allows him to learn from some of his peers,” general manager Joe Schoen said. “He was in there early [in the spring], working hard, still learning the offense.
“It’s a lot, and you have to know what everybody’s doing, but you saw leadership, you saw arm talent, you saw athleticism. He has a long way to go. He’s in a good spot right now.”
New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart calling out plays during practice at the Giants training facility in East Rutherford, NJ. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post
Winston signed a two-year, $8 million contract with the understanding that Wilson might be added — which he was — to become the starter. A few weeks later, the Giants drafted Dart, who coincidentally named Winston before the draft as a quarterback from whom he would like to learn.
In one world, the Giants rely on Wilson for most of this season and hand the reins to Dart with Winston as insurance in 2026. In another, Winston becomes trade bait if Dart develops rapidly. In another, Wilson turns back the clock and keeps both his backups on the bench indefinitely.
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“My mentality is always to be the best in the world,” Wilson said. “I don’t know anything else other than that.”
After Dart threw his interception to Nic Jones, Wilson told him “next play” to reset his mind. One throw later, Dart found Theo Johnson for a touchdown.
New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart calling out plays during practice at the Giants training facility in East Rutherford, NJ. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post
“He’s got a good head on his shoulders,” Wilson said. “Jax sits next to me in the meeting rooms, so we get to talk a lot. I really like him. He’s definitely asked a lot of questions, and I’m not one to hold back. I just give all my thoughts.”
Right now, the Giants are thinking about the present. But the future can’t be too far out of mind.