What does Jaxson Dart have to do to convince Brian Daboll he should play ahead of Russell Wilson?

The New York Giants have officially named Russell Wilson as their starting quarterback for the 2025 NFL season, but rookie Jaxson Dart isn’t fading into the background.

Despite not being handed the Week 1 starter role, Dart is embracing his backup position as a valuable opportunity to develop under an experienced coaching staff and alongside seasoned veterans.

Learning From the Best: Mentorship Behind the Scenes

Being the backup to a 10-time Pro Bowler and Super Bowl champion like Russell Wilson provides Dart with an ideal environment for growth.

Alongside Wilson and fellow veteran Jameis Winston, Dart is soaking in invaluable lessons on preparation, game management, and leadership. His time in the QB room is focused on absorbing knowledge, refining skills, and mastering the Giants‘ offensive system.

Dart himself recognizes the benefit of this setup. Speaking after minicamp, he expressed confidence in the coaching staff’s blueprint, stating,

“They’ve had success with different quarterbacks before, so I trust the process. I want to be the most coachable player possible and operate the offense at a high level.”

Giants head coach Brian Daboll has set clear expectations for Dart. While Wilson leads the team now, Daboll stresses that Dart‘s rookie year is about daily improvement and preparation for the future.

“Our goal is for him to get better every day,” Daboll said in a recent press conference.

“He has a lot to learn, but he has the talent and mindset to develop into a great quarterback.”

Dart‘s impressive performance at Ole Miss laid the foundation for his selection in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft.

As the school’s all-time winningest starting quarterback, he threw for over 10,600 yards and totaled 12,115 yards when including his rushing statistics. With 72 passing and 14 rushing touchdowns, Dart‘s dual-threat capabilities make him an exciting prospect for the Giants.

Although the initial spotlight falls on Wilson, Dart remains determined to earn his chance. He’s focused on studying the game, improving