When the New York Giants traded back into the first round to draft Jaxson Dart, it sent a message: the team was finally serious about finding their quarterback of the future. After years of hedging and hoping, GM Joe Schoen made his move. Dart, a former Ole Miss standout with mobility, toughness, and a strong arm was suddenly the centerpiece of a franchise trying to reset itself.
So it wasn’t surprising when CBS Sports’ Cody Benjamin raised a fair concern after the draft in his biggest question still facing every team article: “How will the crowded quarterback room play out?” Russell Wilson is the starter. Jameis Winston is there for veteran depth. Dart is the rookie the front office is invested in. Tommy DeVito is there. It’s a full room. And yes, a rather fascinating one.
But here’s the thing: the Giants didn’t draft Dart to play right away. And they shouldn’t need him to. And they didn't bring in Winston to challenge Wilson. The answer to Benjamin's question is pretty clear.
Jaxson Dart might be the future—but he doesn’t need to be the present
Benjamin wrote: Joe Schoen delivered on his promise to "look under every rock" for new help at the position. Now comes the hard part: Squeezing actual results from the additions. Veteran Russell Wilson is the de facto No. 1, but first-rounder Jaxson Dart could quickly become coach Brian Daboll's favorite for his mobility.
This isn’t about a quarterback competition. This isn’t a “Who’s QB1?” battle royale. If the Giants are doing this right, Dart doesn’t see the field until he’s absolutely ready. And ideally? That means not at all in 2025.
Russ didn’t come here to be a ceremonial starter. He signed because he still believes he can win. And for the Giants, that’s the best-case scenario. Daboll already named him the starter. So let the vet take the hits, steady the ship, and give Dart the one thing Giants rookie QBs haven’t had in years: time.
The most dangerous thing a team can do to a young quarterback is rush him onto the field just to say they did. Look no further than Daniel Jones, who was thrown into the mix five weeks into his rookie year and never really found a stable footing after that. The G-Men paid the price for impatience. Dart gives them a second chance to not do exactly that.
And let’s be clear—it’s not a question of if he’ll play. It’s when. Because Dart has real tools. He’s athletic, confident, and has shown an ability to lead. But development takes more than traits. It takes time. Let him sit behind a guy who’s seen every defensive look in the book. Let Daboll and QB coach Shea Tierney build him from the ground up. That’s how you build longevity—not viral preseason buzz.
If Wilson plays well, great. If he struggles, maybe Famous Jameis gets a shot. But the best possible outcome for this team isn’t controversy—it’s clarity. And the clearest path to stability is letting Dart cook off the field for as long as they can afford it. Rushing his development is worst-case scenario.
It's not necessarily a crowded quarterback room... that would insinuate there's no de facto No.1. It’s more so a layered one. And for the first time in a long time, Big Blue is finally playing the smart game.