This offseason, the New York Giants signed both Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston, then followed those moves up by selecting Jaxson Dart in the first round of the 2025 Draft. However, there isn’t any confusion about the roles in the quarterback room. New York has made it clear that Wilson is the starter, Dart is hopefully the quarterback of the future, and Winston is the veteran backup in the room. That means going into 2025, Wilson will be under the most pressure to deliver for the franchise.
Only signing a one-year deal, this is a huge season for Russell Wilson, personally, as well. He’s trying to extend his career as a quality starter, and he can do that by leading New York to success. While his role with the Giants may only be for one year, his performance could determine how the next few seasons look for the team, whether he’s still around or not.
In a recent Bleacher Report piece, Alex Ballentine alluded to how that could happen. Naming the best- and worst-case scenario for all 32 teams’ offense, Ballentine argued the worst-case scenario for New York would be Dart getting forced into the lineup too early. It’s often said young quarterbacks can be ruined if they are on the field before they are ready or before their team is ready to support them.
Ballentine details how that could happen in New York if Wilson struggles and the franchise turns to the rookie.
"So, while it would be ideal for Dart to see action by the end of the season, it would be ideal for Wilson to play well enough that Daboll has time to get Dart acclimated.Alex Ballentine (Bleacher Report)
If he's forced into the lineup early, his confidence could take a hit while Malik Nabers grows frustrated and the Giants are again one of the worst offenses in the league."
Russell Wilson could ultimately determine how long Jaxson Dart gets to develop
If Wilson plays well, Dart will get to sit and develop in the shadows like Patrick Mahomes and all of the Green Bay Packers’ quarterbacks. While quarterbacks playing early is now the norm, there’s still value in taking time to get prepared for the elite level. However, no one will be practicing patience if Wilson is struggling and the Giants are losing while a first-round quarterback is standing on the sidelines.
The franchise could be forced to cave to public demand and throw Dart out there whether he’s ready or not. If he is, great. But if he isn’t, it could be disastrous. He could develop scars that never heal, leading to him never reaching his potential. Additionally, Brian Daboll and Joe Schoen will likely be fired, forcing the Giants to start all over with a new regime.
The combination of a struggling young quarterback and a new regime will likely result in more years of bad football, and no one wants that. That’s why New York either needs Russell Wilson to play well this season, or for Jaxson Dart to be ready whenever he ends up on the field.