In the quest to land the starter spot with the New York Giants ahead of the 2025/26 NFL season it’s youth versus experience.
However, the 22-year-old Jaxson Dart assures the 36-year-old Russell Wilson can rest easy… For now.
Wilson, who penned a deal at the MetLife after a stint with the Pittsburgh Steelers, is aiming for one last hurrah in the sport before he begins to consider his retirement options.
Meanwhile Dart, fresh out of the Ole Miss Rebels, is aiming to build momentum in his budding career, sending a message that may sound reassuring on the surface but ultimately signals a deeper challenge.
This contrast between the old guard and the rising prospect is exactly what the head coach, Brian Daboll, is now navigating as he aims to figure out in which direction to steer the franchise – although Wilson will begin with the edge.
But beneath the surface, a different narrative is emerging, and it centers on the young blood as the 2025 first-round pick looks to adopt a methodical, long-term mindset – hoping to learn the tricks of the trade.
On paper, it suggests Wilson doesn’t need to watch over his shoulder for any proverbial knife to the back in the short-term, but it does indicate his spot as the starter is far from same from challenge.
“I’m not looking for results immediately, I’m a process-driven person. I’m just trying to take it day-by-day,” Dart told reporters at the team’s OTAs, coming off an NCAA season producing 4276 yards and 29 touchdowns.
Is Dart preparing to take over already?
Wilson remains the veteran presence shaping the locker room. His leadership, playoff pedigree, and improved performance last season with the Steelers speaks for itself.
Yet behind closed doors, there is increasing speculation that the Giants may pivot sooner than expected and a few poor performances early in the season could prompt a shift away to the youngster.
During practice sessions, Dart has reportedly demonstrated strong arm strength, good mobility, and a knack for reading complex defenses-albeit inconsistently, in what is proving to be a very promising sign for Daboll and his offensive team.
“There’s a lot of running, a lot of plays that could’ve been sacks,” Jordan Raanan reported. “But on the other hand, you see some throws and you think, ‘Wow, that was a really good pass.’
“So, we’ve seen some good things and also some bad things from Jaxson Dart.”
Despite those growing pains, Dart has already climbed to the QB2 spot, overtaking Jameis Winston and Tommy DeVito. So can he edge closer to the QB1 slot and displace a Super Bowl winner?
What makes Dart’s calm demeanor so impactful is that it places no visible pressure on Wilson, yet it clearly signals ambition. His process-driven mindset might sound deferential, but it’s quietly aggressive.
“This season is all about Dart and what he shows,” Brent Sobleski said to Bleacher Report, suggesting that Wilson’s destiny in the state of New York is out of his control when it comes to the future years.
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