Details emerge on Giants' plans for Jaxson Dart

Despite pleas from passionate New York Giants fans, head coach Brian Daboll confirmed on Monday that Russell Wilson will be the team's starting quarterback over rookie Jaxson Dart for Week 2's game at the 0-1 Dallas Cowboys.

For a piece published on Wednesday morning, ESPN's Jeremy Fowler and Dan Graziano shared why Wilson is getting the nod for the Week 2 showdown at AT&T Stadium.

Jaxson Dart following in footsteps of Josh Allen, Patrick Mahomes

"Daboll and offensive coordinator Mike Kafka have a very specific strategy for Jaxson Dart's development that includes specific benchmarks he must hit before they're convinced he's ready," Graziano explained. "They've crafted this plan based on previous experiences breaking in young quarterbacks, which include prominent success stories such as Josh Allen and Patrick Mahomes."

Kafka previously served as Mahomes' quarterbacks coach and passing game coordinator with the Kansas City Chiefs, while Daboll was the Buffalo Bills' offensive coordinator when the Bills drafted Allen in 2018. Mahomes was able to sit behind Alex Smith as a rookie, but Allen started in Week 2 of his debut pro season. 

Is money impacting Giants' decision to start Wilson over Dart? 

"Money usually talks in these situations," Fowler added, "and to bench Wilson after Week 1 means the Giants would have paid him more than $10M for one game. Sensible teams don't typically do such things. And I believe the Giants are trying to be sensible here. This is a team that needs to stick to a plan, and having Dart sit and learn -- at least in the short term -- can help him. Wilson is a declining player but should play better this week against the Cowboys. He provides experience for a team that needs it."

Wilson completed 17-of-37 passes for 168 yards while playing behind an offensive line that routinely betrayed him in New York's 21-6 Week 1 loss to the Washington Commanders. As much as Daboll and Giants general manager Joe Schoen want to protect Dart from taking beatings early in his career, Graziano mentioned that Big Blue could bench Wilson if the veteran "looks as lost and ineffective Sunday in Dallas as he did in Washington." 

That said, Graziano also suggested that the Giants could start QB3 Jameis Winston for the club's home opener against the Chiefs on Sept. 21 if Dart doesn't hit the previously mentioned "benchmarks" by early next week.