When the New York Giants traded back into the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft for quarterback Jaxson Dart, we knew it would only be a matter of time before Dart claimed the starting job. However, with Russell Wilson signed to be the stop-gap starter, nobody expected this change would happen as quickly as early in the 2025 season. That might be the case.
Recently, Ian Rapoport spoke about Brian Daboll's infatuation with Dart, and it sounds like it's just a matter of time before the rookie gets his shot.
"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," Rapoport said on The Insiders. "It’s clearly a matter of when, not if."
Dart turned just 22 years old in May, and there are questions about his ability to read an NFL defense after coming from a one-read Lane Kiffin offense at Ole Miss. While the 36-year-old Wilson is still expected to get the first crack at the starting gig, Daboll may be looking for an opportunity to get the guy he drafted on the field sooner than anyone thought.
Russell Wilson must put his talents on display with the New York Giants early in the 2025 season to keep his job
Russell Wilson has had an exceptional NFL career, which included nine Pro Bowl honors in his first 10 seasons. But his reputation no longer matters at this stage of his career—such is the life of an aging quarterback in the National Football League.
Now, Wilson will be scrapping and clawing to keep Jaxson Dart off his heels and hold onto his job. Though Wilson has made plenty of money throughout his career, the veteran could be looking for one final payday in 2026 after inking a one-year, $10.5 million deal with the Giants during the 2025 offseason.
This won't come easily. To give Brian Daboll enough incentive to keep a 36-year-old quarterback on the field over his first-round pick, Wilson will need to ball out. And based on the brutal schedule early in the year, this will be an incredibly daunting task.
The Giants open the season with two straight road games against NFC East opponents (the Commanders and the Cowboys) before hosting the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday Night Football. Then, Week 4 to Week 9 includes games against the Chargers, Broncos, and 49ers, with two games against the Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles in this stretch.
It will be a miracle if Wilson can keep his job after all of this. Based on Wilson's performances over the past three seasons with the Broncos and Steelers, it's not going to take a lot for Dart to see the field. Like Ian Rapoport said, it's a matter of 'when', not 'if'.