Day 1 of New York Giants training camp started with an early dose of clarity. Or, more accurately, a repeat of what had already been made clear months ago. Head coach Brian Daboll took the podium and told everyone what they already knew, but what still somehow needed to be said again.
Russell Wilson is the starting quarterback.
Related: Brian Daboll makes Jaxson Dart’s mission at training camp crystal clear
That was the message back in April when the Giants pulled off their shocking draft night move for Jaxson Dart. It was the message again on Wednesday. And unless something drastically changes, it’ll be the message well into the fall. This team is sticking to the script:
“These guys will be out here competing,” Daboll said before practice, “but Russ is our starter.”
Brian Daboll has NOT changed his mind about Russ being the starter
It was never really in question, but it’s still telling that Daboll felt the need to shut it down before camp even got rolling. That doesn’t mean Dart won’t be given a fair chance to develop and earn meaningful reps. The team brought him in to be the guy eventually, and he’ll have every opportunity to build a foundation throughout camp.
But the G-Men made a plan back in March, and they’re sticking to it.
Dart was never drafted to be thrown into the fire. Signing Wilson and Winston gave the staff room to breathe and let the rookie grow without the noise. There was never going to be a quarterback circus this summer—Daboll and Schoen made sure of that before the pick was even made.
Still, saying it out loud again — on the literal first day of camp — did deflate things a bit. Fans wanted to dream a little. Dart was the guy who brought juice back into the building. But the staff isn’t in a rush to open that door. He’ll get his reps, he’ll develop behind the scenes, and if things break right, maybe he takes over in 2026. That’s how they’re playing it.
Unless something massively unforeseen happens, Wilson is the starter heading into Week 1.