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Insider pours cold water over Giants' alleged QB plans
New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart. Rich Barnes-Imagn Images

Insider pours cold water over Giants' alleged QB plans

According to a Wednesday report, the New York Giants are quietly getting rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart ready to take regular-season snaps so he can replace Russell Wilson as the club's starter in September.

On Thursday, The Athletic's Dan Duggan refuted this rumor, crushing the hopes of Giants fans who want Dart to become their QB1 as soon as New York's Week 2 game at the Dallas Cowboys on Sept. 14.

"If all goes according to plan, Thursday night’s preseason finale against the New England Patriots will be Jaxson Dart’s last game action for a long time," Duggan wrote. "The New York Giants want their rookie quarterback to develop behind the scenes while veteran Russell Wilson leads an improved roster this season."

Duggan's update is hardly surprising. Since the opening night of the 2025 NFL Draft, Giants head coach Brian Daboll and general manager Joe Schoen have been clear that they want Dart to spend his rookie year as an unused backup while learning from Wilson. 

After Dart rushed for a touchdown and completed 14-of-16 passing attempts for 137 yards with a score in the Giants' 31-12 preseason win over the New York Jets on Saturday, Daboll repeated that "Russ is our starter and we're going to keep developing Jaxson." 

Duggan added that "it’s not even clear yet if Dart will serve as the No. 2 quarterback when the Giants travel" for their Week 1 matchup at the Washington Commanders on Sept. 7. Earlier this week, Giants assistant general manager Brandon Brown insisted the club has no intention of trading backup Jameis Winston anytime soon. 

"The Giants are excited by Dart’s first impression, but they remain committed to Wilson," Duggan continued. "The impact of the 14th-year veteran’s experience and leadership is lauded by every corner of the organization."

Of course, Wilson's "experience and leadership" likely won't mean much if the 36-year-old looks like a shell of his former self. That said, it sounds like it's possible that Dart could be Winston's primary backup for the Giants' home opener against the Kansas City Chiefs on Sept. 21 if Daboll benches Wilson. 

Zac Wassink

Zac Wassink is a longtime sports news writer and PFWA member who began his career in 2006 and has had his work featured on Yardbarker, MSN, Yahoo Sports and Bleacher Report. He is also a football and futbol aficionado who is probably yelling about Tottenham Hotspur at the moment and who chanted for Matt Harvey to start the ninth inning of Game 5 of the 2015 World Series at Citi Field. You can find him on X at @ZacWassink

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