Russell Wilson‘s signing was a deliberate move to reshape the New York Giants‘ culture. After years of instability, New York turned to a man who’s been to the mountaintop. A Super Bowl champion and nine-time Pro Bowler, Wilson offers a blueprint.
During OTAs, he brought a new energy and structure. According to those at camp, Wilson pushed for sharper 7-on-7 competitions, elevated practice tempo, and honed in on precision with his receivers. His leadership extended beyond mechanics, as he’s instilling belief and focus in a locker room hungry for direction.
But while Wilson composes the present, the future hums in the background. Enter Jaxson Dart.
Fresh off a record-setting run at Ole Miss, surpassing even Eli Manning‘s yardage mark, Dart brings a rocket arm, deceptive athleticism, and that rare ability to make a throw that silences a crowd.
A sharp learning curve
Early reports on Dart’s minicamp performance reflect that duality. ESPN’s Jordan Raanan pulled no punches when evaluating Dart’s rocky start.
“He’s been terrible this spring,” Raanan stated. “At times, he’s held the ball a little bit too long. Lot of running, a lot of, you know, taking what maybe would have been sacks.” In other words, the speed and complexity of the pro game are catching up to him.
“You see some throws like, wow. That’s a pretty throw. Look at that elusiveness. Look at the way he can run.”
His ascent past Jameis Winston to the QB2 spot confirms that the Giants are serious about developing Dart.
“He now appears to be the second-team quarterback, worked his way into that,” Raanan noted, marking a significant shift in the team’s depth chart.
For now, the Giants are deploying a proven strategy: Let the rookie learn in peace. With no pressure to start Week 1, Dart has the luxury to study Wilson’s elite preparation and absorb Brian Daboll and Mike Kafka‘s playbook from the sideline.
Those flashes in minicamp must become consistent drives. Dart will be judged not on spectacular moments, but on his ability to sustain rhythm, manage pressure, and evolve from a raw talent into a reliable option.
With Wilson as the steadying force and Dart learning in his shadow, the Giants may finally be striking the right balance between win-now urgency and future planning.
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