Giants RB refutes 'leader' claims amid Russell Wilson, Jaxson Dart takes

Some members of the NFL community believe the New York Giants should name rookie Jaxson Dart their Week 1 starting quarterback this summer. 

However, multiple reports have suggested that veteran Russell Wilson emerged during springtime workouts as the leader of a quarterback room that also features Jameis Winston and Tommy DeVito. 

During an appearance on Friday's edition of NFL Network's "Good Morning Football" program, Giants running back Tyrone Tracy Jr. poured cold water over the idea that Wilson will enter training camp practices as the undisputed leader of the club's offense. 

"I wouldn't say leader of the pack because Jameis and Russ, they both have a really good dynamic to where they both respect each other," Tracy explained, as shared by Nick Shook of the NFL's website. "They both allow each other to lead in their own way, whatever it may be. ...I think that's really good because you need more than one leader. You need more than one person speaking up. It can't just be Russ or Jameis. It has to be a running back, a linebacker, a D-end, you know what I'm saying? It has to be multiple people on the team leading so that everyone knows, the young guys know this is the way we're going."

The Giants will likely go into their Week 1 game at the Washington Commanders on Sept. 7 with Wilson comfortably atop the depth chart. As of Friday afternoon, FanDuel Sportsbook listed Wilson as a -1400 betting favorite to get the nod for that matchup. Dart was second on the list at +1060 odds to win the starting job, while Winston was at +1300 odds. 

"With Russ," Tracy acknowledged, "he brings that leadership to where he's more vocal, he's speaking up, he's letting people know where we're going, and everyone's on the same train. That's what we need as a football team."

One reason the Giants may need Wilson to establish himself as an outspoken leader among the team's quarterbacks is that there's no guarantee Winston will be on the Big Blue roster come September. Some think the New Orleans Saints could call the Giants about Winston's services if rookie Tyler Shough and 2024 fifth-round draft pick Spencer Rattler fail to impress this summer. Winston played for the Saints from 2020 through the 2023 season.

As for Dart, ESPN's Jordan Raanan recently noted that the rookie held on to the ball "too long at times" during spring practices open to media members. Giants head coach Brian Daboll and general manager Joe Schoen both hope that developing as a backup will help Dart eliminate such bad habits from his game. 

"He's got a lot of confidence, but he also has a lot of humility," Tracy said about Dart. "He understands that he doesn't know it all."