Don't look now, but the New York Giants are finally getting talked about for all the right reasons. That would have seemed impossible a year or two ago, but a roster overhaul and an actual plan at quarterback can shift a narrative quickly.
Not long ago, the team turned to Daniel Jones as the heir to Eli Manning's throne. While early returns looked promising, it was clear that he was never going to be the franchise savior for then general manager Dave Gettleman and head coach Pat Shurmur. They opted for immediate results over emphasizing the long game, and the team is still paying for that decision today (literally). After throwing $160 million at him, the QB room has been anything but stable, calling into question Brian Daboll's credibility as a quarterback guru.
Big Blue's 100th season went off the rails in ways Giants fans could never have imagined. The quarterback situation was a mess from top to bottom. They had no system, no support, and no idea how to handle whoever lined up under center. One former No. 1 overall pick clearly took notice. And while Alex Smith didn't call out Dabs and Co. by name, it's not hard to listen to his comments and draw parallels to the G-Men.
Alex Smith might've just called out Brian Daboll and Joe Schoen for reckless QB approach
When speaking with Zak Keefer of The Athletic, the former No. 1 overall pick and 16-year QB shared some harsh truths about NFL teams and their unwillingness to take accountability for destroying a young QB's trajectory and development:
"Teams would give anything to get the right guy," Smith said to Keefer. "The problem is, some of them don't have a clue what they're doing."
While Smith was clearly talking about the likes of Anthony Richardson (Colts), Zach Wilson (Jets), Mac Jones (Patriots), and Trey Lance (Cowboys), it's not hard to look straight down the barrel at the Giants' own wrongdoings over the years and think he's also looking right at them.
New York hasn't exactly been known for having a clue over the years. They have essentially failed every quarterback under center since Manning. Now, only one of those players was a former top-10 pick (Danny Dimes), but still, the optics aren't great. Smith's words should ring loudly in East Rutherford.
Look no further than last year's 3-14 debacle. One could make a clear argument that the G-Men had absolutely no clue what they were doing. Daboll stripped offensive coordinator Mike Kafka of playcalling duties, the offensive line was a constant turnstile, and aside from Malik Nabers, the team lacked any real playmaking threat at the receiver position.
Which brings us to the 22-year-old rookie out of Ole Miss, Jaxson Dart.
Daboll and Schoen knew things would have to be different if they were ever going to get out of their self-inflicted rut they put the team in over the past three-plus seasons. They stopped pretending and finally built a real plan. Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston were brought in to steady the ship, keep Dart on track, and give him time to learn without being thrown into the fire.
So far, that strategy has worked wonders. The rookie sensation put on an absolute show in the preseason, indicating he's way further ahead of schedule than anyone could have anticipated. His poise, arm talent, and pocket awareness were on display early and often, and it's only a matter of time before he gets his first start. But that's the whole point.
The G-Men are allowing Dart that time. If he develops quicker than expected, that's great — throw him in. However, Wilson and Winston are safeguards from the recklessness this team has been throwing at their QBs for the past six-plus seasons.
For the Jaxson Dart experience to work, there needs to be a plan. Fortunately, it looks like the front office has started that process, and early returns suggest it's already working. Smith wasn’t wrong. Some teams really don’t have a clue. But it finally feels like the Giants aren’t one of them anymore.