Will Jaxson Dart be ready to start regular-season games by Week 1?

While speaking with reporters at the New York Giants' mandatory minicamp on Wednesday, rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart insisted that he trusts the team's plan for his development while he serves as a backup for undisputed starter Russell Wilson. 

Later on Wednesday, NFL and Giants insider Connor Hughes of SNY raised some eyebrows when he wrote that "Dart is not nearly as green as many believed" earlier this spring.

"The rookie is still a work in progress," Hughes explained. "But I feel pretty confident writing that Dart could start a game if he had to in early September. There's confidence and moxie about him. He’s so comfortable with his teammates and on the field. There is plenty, plenty he needs to learn, but at no point this offseason did Dart resemble a player swimming or in over his head. It’s cliche, but true: He looked like he belonged."

History suggests that neither Wilson nor fellow veteran Jameis Winston has a ton to gain from playing in meaningless preseason games, beginning with the Aug. 9 matchup at the Buffalo Bills. That said, it was just last summer when then-rookie Drake Maye looked very much like a project for the future during New England Patriots practices. By the end of the preseason, Maye had emerged as the best quarterback on that roster. 

Hughes, The Athletic's Dan Duggan and others were sure to point out this week that "there is no quarterback controversy" within the Giants and "zero chance" that Dart beats out Wilson for the Week 1 starting job barring an injury. However, it sounds like there's a legitimate possibility that Dart could begin New York's regular-season opener versus the Washington Commanders as QB2 on the Big Blue depth chart. 

That means Dart could be one play away from facing a live defense on Sept. 7.

"The Giants would still have to build everything around him and do everything they can to make it easy for him, but I do believe Dart could take the field and not be a liability or detriment to those around him," Hughes added about Dart possibly playing against Washington. 

For now, the most interesting thing about Dart's growth is that it could lead to the Giants parting ways with either Winston or Tommy DeVito in late August. Nevertheless, it could be interesting to see how the Giants react if Dart becomes a breakout star during training camp.