Russell Wilson‘s NFL journey was supposed to end on his terms. His arrival in New York was framed as a fresh start, perhaps the final chapter before retirement, but that chapter may be rewritten sooner than expected, and the author might be Jaxson Dart.
After a decorated career in Seattle and a turbulent stint in Denver, the 36-year-old Super Bowl winner looks to restore dignity to the Giants after their miserable woes with Daniel Jones before symbolically handing over the reins as he rides off into the sunset on a high.
However, with the arrival of the rookie quarterback out of the Ole Miss Rebels already looking more promising than anticipated, expectations may already be being rewritten behind closed doors.
Could Jaxson Dart take over from Russell Wilson in the 2025/26 NFL season?
Dart‘s perfect score of 100 on the Star-Predictor Score (SPS) test, the highest ever recorded on the test, which evaluates core quarterbacking traits tied to long-term NFL success, and his performance placed him ahead of the likes of Lamar Jackson and Patrick Mahomes.
That kind of data doesn’t just impress, it disrupts, especially when the veteran in front of you is nearing the twilight of his career, and it could force Brian Daboll into a challenging decision.
Now firmly an NFL veteran, Wilson knows the clock is ticking and though he once stated he hoped to play into his mid-40s, his recent tone suggests a more immediate horizon.
“It’s called a career. If 17 or 18 of 20 years are great, would you complain?” Wilson told Sports Illustrated, seeming irritated regarding questions surrounding what seems to be the form of his final seasons.
It’s not exactly a farewell, but far from the talk of a quarterback aiming to play another decade as the Giants are Wilson‘s fourth team in five seasons.
His one-year contract doesn’t scream longevity. It reads more like a last opportunity to prove he still belongs under center, and while his 2024 season wasn’t a disaster, it wasn’t enough to eliminate the doubts.
What makes his situation more fragile is what’s coming behind him as Jaxson Dart is not just another rookie, he’s a potential breakout talent that could take New York from NFL laughing stock to an NFC East powerhouse.
“Older vets really don’t get a lot of the reps in training camp,” CBS Sports’ Bryant McFadden said. “So for Jaxson Dart, you get the opportunities, you gotta take advantage of it.
“I wouldn’t be shocked if it started off right away… If Jaxson Dart is phenomenal… I don’t think they’ll be scared to start him.
“Let’s say worst case scenario… they get off to a horrible start… now you want to see the young fella.”
Now eyes wait to see who takes the first snaps of the 2025/26 NFL season when the New York Giants take on the Washington Commanders on September 7 from 13:00 ET/10:00 PT.
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