The New York Giants designating Jaxson Dart their No. 2 quarterback isn’t enough for some, with one observer wanting the team to have a special package of plays for the first-round pick in the 2025 NFL draft, a scheme that can best be described as anti-Russell Wilson.
He’s the starter for now, but 36-year-old Wilson is also a signal-caller on the wane, despite his pedigree as a 10-time Pro Bowler. A decline in Wilson’s mobility has Dan Schneier of CBS Sports declaring he’d “be very surprised if Brian Daboll and the Giants do NOT have packages designed for Jaxson Dart. Why wouldn’t he? If DCs spend all week planning for a QB nothing like Dart in Russ, it can catch them off guard when they swap in Dart, go no huddle/tempo, spread/empty, RPO, quick game, etc vs the under center offense with Russ.”
Head coach Brian Daboll following this suggestion for Week 1’s game against the Washington Commanders at Northwest Stadium on Sunday, September 7, has some obvious advantages. Not the least of which is how selective use of Dart would be a good way to get the rookie exposed to the speed of the pro game and accelerate his learning curve.
Those are worthy considerations when Dart was drafted to be the future of the franchise at football’s most important position. Yet, using a sub-package of plays with the former Ole Miss star at the controls also has significant downsides.
Jaxson Dart Sub-Package Plan Has Risks
The obvious starting point when assessing the downsides of Schneier’s suggestion is to acknowledge how random snaps would only increase the risk of a needless injury for Dart. While the Giants can’t avoid the risk completely, it’s surely better to take it once Dart is ready to be QB1.
Any sub-package plan would also heighten any talk of a quarterback controversy and increase chatter for Wilson to be benched and Dart promoted ahead of schedule. The Giants would essentially be one step removed from rotating their quarterbacks, not a good look for anyone involved, particularly Daboll, who enters this season under no-small amount of pressure from ownership.
Those risks appear to outweigh the benefit of getting Dart involved early in a select role against the Commanders. Especially when the Giants have prepared all offseason for Wilson to assume the lead.
Giants Ready for Russell Wilson to Take Over
Dart has been one of the stars of preseason, but Daboll and the Giants have backed Wilson early and often. The Super Bowl winner already sounds determined to get his career back on track with Big Blue, a process set to start against the Giants‘ NFC East rivals.
Wilson can still throw the deep ball as well as any starter in the NFL. He also remains adept at exploiting the seams, great news for a potential breakout candidate among the Giants’ receiving corps.
If Wilson is going to have a legitimate chance of bouncing back from erratic stints with the Denver Broncos and Pittsburgh Steelers, he’ll need a clear run at the job with the Giants. Not being shuttled in and out to accommodate Dart, who can benefit more from time to sit and observe.
Giants Urged to Use Anti-Russell Wilson Package for Jaxson Dart