NFL insider shares prediction for when Giants may start Jaxson Dart as a rookie

It was previously suggested that the New York Giants could start rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart over free-agency signing Russell Wilson as soon as their Week 5 matchup at the New Orleans Saints on Oct. 5 if the Giants open their season with three or four losses over their first four games. 

For a mailbag published on Monday, NFL and Giants insider Connor Hughes of SNY indicated fans shouldn't expect to see Dart in the lineup before Halloween. 

"They genuinely believe Russell Wilson can play, play well, elevate those around him and make the Giants a competent club this year," Hughes wrote about how general manager Joe Schoen and head coach Brian Daboll view the one-time Super Bowl champion. "Seldom do things go according to plan. Considering that brutal stretch the Giants face the first nine weeks … it’s hard to imagine things not going haywire. Especially if New York sits at 1-8 or 2-7. There isn’t a soft landing spot for Dart the first two months. The late bye doesn’t make things any easier, either. The Week 10 matchup with the Bears, whose season feels like it could go in two completely different directions, is the earliest I can see it happening. Week 15 versus Washington is likely where the Giants hope they can get to."

The Giants aren't on the bye until Week 14 and theoretically could spend their break getting Dart ready to start the Dec. 14 home game versus the Commanders if Big Blue is officially or essentially out of the playoff race at that time. 

New York hosts the San Francisco 49ers in Week 9 before the NFC East side plays at the Bears the following Sunday. It remains to be seen how first-year Chicago head coach Ben Johnson will handle a potential controversy related to the fact that second-year quarterback Caleb Williams allegedly didn't want to be drafted by the club in the spring of 2024. 

Hughes was sure to add that he "could see Daboll going to Dart even earlier than Week 10 if he feels his job is on the line." For example, the Giants host the reigning Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles in Week 6 on Oct. 9. History shows Daboll could use the extra time to prepare Dart to start the Week 7 contest at the Denver Broncos on Oct. 19. 

As for Wilson, it shouldn't be forgotten that he won six of his first seven starts with the Pittsburgh Steelers last season before that club endured a five-game losing streak that lasted through the wild-card round of the playoffs. If he achieves similar success with the Giants and stays healthy this coming fall, he'll keep Dart on the sidelines through at least all of November.