3 Reasons Why Giants Should Make Jaxson Dart Their Starter as Soon as Possible

The New York Giants made significant moves to ensure stability at the quarterback position for the upcoming season. First came the signing of veteran Russell Wilson. The Giants signed him for a one-year, $10.5 million deal with an upside potential of $21.5 million. Subsequently, the team picked Jaxson Dart with their 25th overall pick of the first round.

The assumption has been that the Giants intend to start Wilson this season while giving the rookie a few opportunities. Dart was expected to learn from the sidelines, but it appears that the quarterback will be starting sooner than anticipated.

NFL Insider Ian Rapoport has reported that Dart’s time as a starter can come sometime this season.

You listen to everything Brian Daboll says, you get an understanding of how far along Jaxson Dart is, and where you think he’s going to go. It’s clearly a matter of when, not if.

Rapoport said on NFL Network

If this is indeed the case, then Dart is a force to be reckoned with. Many questioned the Giants’ decision to pick Dart over Shedeur Sanders in the Draft, but in retrospect, it could go on to become the smartest decision this franchise has taken in the past three years. Here are three reasons why Jaxson Dart should be the Giants’ next starting quarterback at the earliest.

3. Jaxson Dart has wasted no time in leaving a good impression on his coaches

Dart has fit well in the Giants. The feedback on him has been positive. Brian Daboll has heaped praise on Dart, praising his growth and bond with the veteran quarterbacks.

He’s done excellent picking up information. It’s really good to have Russ and Jameis, and even Tommy because Tommy has been in this system for a few years here. Kind of the head statesman in terms of that with all the adjustments that take place and the calls. He’s fit right in with those guys. He’s smart, aggressive with the football, which I like. And then the true test will be once we start with live hitting and preseason games and things like that. He’s progressed since he’s been here…He’s made improvement.

Daboll told reporters at the end of the Giants’ minicamp.

Dart’s growth has exceeded the team’s expectations, which is why New York should move up the timeline to make Dart the team’s next franchise quarterback. The earlier the better, as it would benefit the rookie quarterback to get as much exposure to actual game time.

2. Russell Wilson is not a long-term solution

The Giants ought to focus on the long-term future. Signing Wilson was a short-term solution; it is equivalent to slapping a band-aid on a wound requiring surgery. The most plausible justification for the signing of Wilson is that both Daboll and general manager Joe Schoen are under immense pressure to produce results this season.

Wilson will lead the team to a better record than last year and mentor Dart in the process. It is hard to expect more from the veteran. Starting the rookie at the earliest gives the Giants time to evaluate how he fares against the best. Additionally, Dart must build chemistry with Malik Nabers. The best way to do this is to allow them to play together during the regular season.

The worst-case scenario is that Dart does not live up to the expectations, but that benefits the Giants because the team would realize that he is not the right fit. The best-case scenario? Well, fans are coming off a season in which a rookie QB in Jayden Daniels managed to lead a losing franchise to the NFC Championship. That doesn’t mean that Dart will end up doing the same, but he deserves an opportunity to prove that he is capable of turning the Giants into a winning team.

1. Jaxson Dart was able to handle a complex offensive playbook at Ole Miss

The hype is real around Dart. The quarterback completed 65.2% of his passes and threw for 11,970 yards in his college career. Dart threw 81 touchdowns and 27 interceptions while rushing for 1,541 yards and 14 touchdowns in his time at Ole Miss. Understanding Lane Kiffin’s offense is no small task. It is also considered a hard offense for quarterbacks to transition out of.

There is little doubt that Dart can handle Daboll’s playbook. The last quarterback that impressed Daboll with his football IQ was Jayden Daniels. In the lead-up to the 2024 draft, HBO’s Hard Knocks showcased footage of Daboll being impressed by Daniels’ quick thinking. Unfortunately, he did not get the opportunity to draft Daniels, but this time, the Giants picked the right guy for their organization.

The positive reviews from Daboll indicate that the HC is confident in the rookie’s ability to handle his playbook. The only reason he is keeping Dart on the bench for the first few weeks is to give him time to completely familiarize himself with the offense and understand the execution during games.

Besides, Dart needs to get accustomed to the fast-paced game in the NFL, and the only way he can do that is by getting minutes during games.

Dart’s odds of starting will depend on Russell Wilson’s performance. If the veteran can play at a slightly higher level than he did in Pittsburgh, then the Giants will not have a good enough reason to demote him. Note that the Giants have Jameis Winston as well on the roster, so even if Wilson gets off to a bad start, the team has another experienced player on deck to keep their ship from sinking early on.

Daboll has had his eyes fixed on Dart since before the draft. Once the Giants picked him, the head coach heaved a huge sigh of relief. Daboll and Schoen are under pressure to produce results, especially after the team decided to trade Saquon Barkley to the Philadelphia Eagles, who went on to win the Super Bowl.

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