Reporter suggests Giants could make Russell Wilson, Jaxson Dart decision sooner than planned

In July, New York Giants general manager Joe Schoen teased that the door could be slightly open for the club to start rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart over veteran Russell Wilson early into the upcoming season. 

Nevertheless, Giants head coach Brian Daboll has repeatedly insisted that Wilson is his QB1 until further notice. 

On Monday afternoon, Ryan Novozinsky of NJ Advance Media for NJ.com suggested that Wilson could have Daboll and Co. possibly thinking twice about the depth chart ahead of the Giants' Week 1 game at the Washington Commanders on Sept. 7.

"The 36-year-old has thrown two [interceptions returned for touchdowns in] the last two practices, including a red-zone interception to new safety Jevon Holland at Monday’s practice," Novozinsky said about Wilson. "He’s turned the ball over six times in 10 training camp practices. To see them pile up so quickly is a stark reminder that the Giants aren’t exactly getting Seattle Russ."

Novozinsky's update isn't the only reason Giants fans may fear the version of Wilson who earned nine Pro Bowl nods with the Seattle Seahawks during his physical prime no longer exists. The StatMuse website shows that no quarterback took more regular-season sacks over the past three campaigns than Wilson (133 sacks over 41 games). To compare, Geno Smith of the Las Vegas Raiders is second on the list with 127 sacks taken across 49 contests. 

According to Pro Football Reference, Wilson ended the 2024 regular season ranked 24th in the NFL among qualified players with a 51.3 adjusted QBR. He lost his final five starts as a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers through the wild-card round of the 2024-25 postseason tournament. 

Meanwhile, Novozinsky noted that Dart "is square in the backup QB seat" for the Giants' preseason opener at the Buffalo Bills this coming Saturday afternoon (1 p.m. ET start). 

"If Wilson continues to trend down while Dart balls out against a talented Bills secondary, it might make coach Brian Daboll a lot more comfortable handing him the reins as early as possible," Novozinsky continued. "...Wilson is trending downward, while Dart is gaining ground."

It remains to be seen how Daboll will react if Dart looks like a potential future superstar at Buffalo's Highmark Stadium on the second Saturday of August. Then again, the 22-year-old could fall to the QB3 spot on the depth chart beneath backup Jameis Winston if the Bills defense dominates much of the action this weekend.