Jaxson Dart's preseason surge adds more pressure to Russell Wilson

Through two preseason games, Dart has completed 74.3% of his passes for 291 yards and two TDs. While he has been facing second- and third-team defenses, the Giants are reportedly pumped about the 22-year-old's progress. 

"I mean, [the Giants] can't hide their excitement," ESPN's Jeremy Fowler said Sunday on "SportsCenter" (h/t On3's Nick Kosko). "They're thrilled with Jaxson Dart not only on the field, but behind the scenes. He's a fast learner. He's highly motivated, all those things."

The Giants gave Dart a first-team rep in Saturday's game on a screen pass in the second quarter. Fowler believes that may be a package New York uses early in the season. Still, that doesn't signal it will thrust the rookie into the starting lineup soon.

"He's been getting a lot of second-team reps in practices, even mixing him in some first-team situations you saw last night into a screen pass, maybe they could create a package for him during the season," Fowler said. "But the team has been pretty adamant not only with what Brian Daboll said, but behind the scenes about wanting to develop Dart.

"When they drafted him, they knew he was going to take time coming out of Ole Miss in a collegiate system. They don't want to rush this thing. They want to make sure he's ready long term. So Russell Wilson gets the nod to start the year. It's really going to be a matter of he can fend off Dart, fend off Jameis Winston, win enough games to keep the job."

Wilson has a 17-24 regular-season starting record over his past three seasons with the Denver Broncos and Pittsburgh Steelers. The 36-year-old could keep floundering during a challenging early-season stretch. In their first four games, the Giants play three teams that made the playoffs last season (Washington Commanders, Kansas City Chiefs and Los Angeles Chargers). 

Daboll is likely on the hot seat after missing the playoffs for two straight seasons. Wilson starting slowly could force him to make an early QB change.