The New York Giants are walking a tightrope with their quarterback situation, and it’s got fans buzzing about when—or if—rookie Jaxson Dart will get his shot under center. After signing veteran Russell Wilson in free agency, the team’s brass is banking on the one-time Super Bowl champ to steady the ship, but whispers of Dart taking over as early as Week 5 have been floating around. NFL insider Connor Hughes of SNY threw some cold water on that idea in a Monday mailbag, suggesting Giants fans might not see their first-round pick until at least Halloween. Let’s unpack this QB drama and what it means for Big Blue’s 2025 season.
The Giants’ brain trust—GM Joe Schoen and head coach Brian Daboll—is all-in on Wilson, at least for now. “They genuinely believe Russell Wilson can play, play well, elevate those around him and make the Giants a competent club this year,” Hughes wrote. That’s no small bet on a 36-year-old QB coming off a rollercoaster 2024 with the Pittsburgh Steelers, where he started hot—winning six of his first seven games—before a five-game skid ended their season in the wild-card round. If Wilson can channel that early-season magic and stay healthy, he could keep Dart glued to the bench well into December, especially with a brutal early schedule looming.
New York’s first nine weeks are a gauntlet: road games against tough teams like the Saints (Week 5), Broncos (Week 7), and Bears (Week 10), plus home clashes with powerhouses like the Eagles (Week 6) and 49ers (Week 9). If the Giants stumble out of the gate—say, 1-8 or 2-7—things could get messy fast. Hughes points out that the late Week 14 bye (Dec. 7) doesn’t give Daboll much wiggle room to ease Dart into action, especially with no “soft landing spot” early on. The earliest realistic debut for Dart, per Hughes, is Week 10 against the Bears, a team that could be a wildcard itself depending on how new coach Ben Johnson handles the Caleb Williams saga. Williams, reportedly unhappy about being drafted by Chicago in 2024, could make that matchup a chaotic one for a rookie like Dart to step into.
But there’s a twist. If Daboll feels the heat on his job—and a rough start could turn up the temperature—he might roll the dice on Dart sooner. Hughes suggests a Week 7 start in Denver (Oct. 19) could be in play, especially if the Giants get embarrassed by the Eagles the week prior. That extra prep time after Philly could give Daboll a chance to get Dart ready to face a Broncos defense that’s no picnic. The more likely scenario, though, is Week 15 against the Commanders (Dec. 14), especially if New York’s playoff hopes are toast by then. A home game against a divisional rival could be the perfect stage for Dart to show what he’s got.
Dart, the former Ole Miss star, brings a different flavor to the huddle—mobile, fearless, and with a cannon arm that had scouts drooling. But he’s raw, and throwing him into a meat grinder of a schedule too early could dent his confidence. Wilson, on the other hand, is a proven leader who’s shown he can still sling it, as evidenced by his 2,655 yards and 18 touchdowns in 14 starts last year with Pittsburgh. His experience could stabilize a Giants offense that leaned heavily on Saquon Barkley (now with Philly) and needs new faces like Malik Nabers to step up. Fans on X are split—some are clamoring for Dart’s upside, with one user calling him “the future we’ve been waiting for,” while others argue Wilson’s veteran savvy is what New York needs to avoid another lost season.
The Giants’ plan hinges on Wilson staying upright and effective. If he’s winning games and keeping the locker room together, Dart might not see the field until 2026. But if the losses pile up and Daboll’s seat gets hot, don’t be surprised if the rookie gets the nod sooner than expected. With a fanbase hungry for hope and a schedule that doesn’t let up, this QB debate is one to watch as Big Blue kicks off the season.
