Could Giants' Jaxson Dart spark QB controversy with good showing vs. Bills?

New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll and general manager Joe Schoen have proclaimed since the 2025 NFL Draft that veteran Russell Wilson is their starting quarterback over first-round draft pick Jaxson Dart.

Nevertheless, analysts and Giants fans alike are wondering if Dart could spark a quarterback controversy if he performs well in New York's preseason opener at the Buffalo Bills on Saturday at 1 p.m. ET. 

On Friday, Giants reporter Dan Duggan of The Athletic attempted to pour cold water over talk about a potential battle for the club's QB1 gig. 

"Dart isn’t going to push Russell Wilson for the starting job based on his performance in exhibition games, although it would be a welcome development if the rookie plays well enough to at least create a discussion," Duggan wrote. "...Giants brass was impressed by Dart’s competitiveness and leadership during the scouting process. Those traits should be on display even in an exhibition game. These dress rehearsals will provide progress reports on how Dart is developing. The preseason will be especially important for Dart since it could be his last chance to play in live games for a long time."

Daboll and Schoen made it clear that they want to develop Dart as an unused backup when they listed him third on the Giants' first unofficial depth chart behind Wilson and presumed QB2 Jameis Winston. Winston will likely see playing time if Wilson becomes unavailable before or during the Giants' Week 1 game at the Washington Commanders on Sept. 7. 

To his credit, Dart has said the right things publicly about how the club plans to use him in his rookie campaign. That trend continued when the 22-year-old was asked on Thursday if he takes "any motivation" from being New York's QB3. 

"I don't look at it that way," Dart responded, per Giants.com. "I'm just coming to work every single day, just trying to compete, and you never know when your number is going to be called on. We have a great quarterback room, and any guy can go out there and go win games and play at an extremely high level, and they've all shown that. We have a unique room with us being so close and just the conversations that we have. At the end of the day, we come here and we just want to win as a team, so that's kind of been our motto."

Dart will probably have a "rookie moment" or two at Buffalo's Highmark Stadium. Still, New York sports radio could be entertaining to listen to on Monday if Dart looks like a future superstar in his preseason debut.