You can ask anyone in any of the five boroughs. Quarterback controversy is not new to many in the Big Apple, but it is uncharted territory for New York Giants fans.
It is rare for a June minicamp to carry this much intrigue, but a three-person battle to be Big Blue’s starting quarterback is officially underway. The G-Men completely revamped their quarterback room this offseason, moving on from Daniel Jones in hopes of finding stability at the position.
Now, the team is turning to a mix of pedigree, and potential. Free agent acquisitions Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston, and first-round rookie Jaxson Dart are the trio being watched closely.
Giants QB battle quietly heating up in East Rutherford
Wilson, 36, is the headliner.
There’s no doubt the former Super Bowl champion and 10-time Pro Bowler has the pedigree. But after a disastrous stint in Denver, he’s not the player he was five seasons ago. He showed some promise in Pittsburgh, throwing for 16 touchdowns in 11 games, but father time is still creeping up on him.
If I were a betting man, I would say Wilson is probably the current favorite to be the starter. The Wisconsin (and NC State) product has a connection blossoming with third-year wideout Jalin Hyatt, and Darius Slayton spoke highly of Wilson’s impact after connecting for a score during minicamp.
This connection 🤌@DangeRussWilson | @Young_Slay2 pic.twitter.com/qlPzTbv5ev
— New York Giants (@Giants) June 12, 2025
"His knowledge of the game has shown already," Slayton said via Giants.com. "Obviously, he has amazing talent with the ball. Accuracy, great touch on the deep balls. I don't really know that he's missed more than one or two deep balls this whole camp.”
Wilson is unlocking an aspect of the offense Daboll struggled to tap into last year with Jones- the deep passing game. In addition to Slayton’s comments, WanDale Robinson praised the veteran’s touch and consistency.
"That deep ball just drops right in the bucket, for sure," Robinson told Giants.com. "And then whenever he's throwing just the shorter routes and stuff like that, it kind of comes in like a pillow. It's really, really easy to catch, which I like."
Winston, now entering his tenth NFL season, brings experience but also the volatility of a quarterback who’s thrown as many dazzling touchdowns as head-scratching interceptions. In just 87 starts, the former No. 1 overall pick has thrown 111 career interceptions, mainly signing with New York for mentorship and stability to help Dart.
His career has been a disappointment after winning a Heisman Trophy at Florida State and entering the NFL with lofty expectations- but he is still a welcomed addition to any QB room.
His name has been floated around in trade discussions after signing a two-year $8 million deal with the G-Men back in March. Still, Winston has the arm strength to succeed in head coach Brian Daboll’s vertical attack, and remains a strong insurance policy should Wilson falter or face injury.
And then there’s Dart.
The No. 25 pick in April’s draft, Dart was considered a polarizing prospect coming out of Ole Miss. His physical traits are undeniable, but questions about consistency, decision-making, and the Rebels’ offensive scheme lingered throughout the pre-draft process.
At 6-foot-2 and 223 pounds, the Kaysville, Utah native has an impressive blend of size, speed, and arm talent. But there is still a lot that needs to be worked on. Luckily, due to the presence of Wilson and Winston, the 22-year-old will not be rushed into action and there’s a real chance he doesn’t start a game all season.
Brian Daboll played a key role in the development of Josh Allen — the reigning NFL MVP — who, like Dart, came out of college with similar question marks. While his first NFL minicamp has been up and down, the Giants seem to have a clear plan for his development as the clear quarterback of the future.
For the first time in years, quarterback is both the biggest question — and the most exciting storyline — in East Rutherford, which will make for quite the captivating summer. And no matter who wins the job, the presence of Malik Nabers gives New York’s next QB a dynamic weapon and a real chance to succeed.