The New York Giants will have a new quarterback under center in Week 1 after moving on from Daniel Jones. The candidates include Russell Wilson, Jameis Winston, and Jaxson Dart. Can Dart beat out Wilson to become QB1?
New York Giants Trade Up For Jaxson Dart
Rooks are ready 🔥 pic.twitter.com/EAgADZkuUF
— New York Giants (@Giants) July 2, 2025
It’s a new era in New York.
After six seasons with Jones, the Giants released their former first-round pick toward the end of last season.
For the first time in their tenure, head coach Brian Daboll and general manager Joe Schoen could find their quarterback in the draft. After using the No. 3 pick on Penn State’s Abdul Carter, the Giants traded back into the first round to select Dart out of Ole Miss.
The Giants traded the No. 34 pick, the No. 99 pick, and a 2026 third-round pick to the Houston Texans for the No. 25 pick.
Dart started for Lane Kiffin’s Ole Miss Rebels for three consecutive seasons. Dart became the program’s all-time leader in passing yards (10,617), passing former Giants legend Eli Manning.
Dart, 22, has the size (6-foot-2 and 223 pounds) and arm talent to succeed at the next level. Where Dart must show improvement is under center, since he predominantly stood in the shotgun in college.
Giants QB Competition
Where does Jaxson Dart stand at this point? What about Abdul Carter's progression? And could Theo Johnson emerge in the offense?@Connor_J_Hughes closes out Giants minicamp: pic.twitter.com/ZS7Axj1rEs
— Giants Videos (@SNYGiants) June 18, 2025
The Giants enter the 2025 season with minimal expectations following a 3-14 season. Daboll and Schoen are certainly on the hot seat after two consecutive losing seasons.
Daboll and Schoen are stuck in a catch-22 situation. They must win games to save their job. The best way to do that is to start Wilson, at least at the beginning of the season. However, playing Dart might lead to losing, but improving his development could lead to the saving of their jobs.
Wilson comes to New York after spending the last season with the Pittsburgh Steelers. After missing the first six games of the season with an injury, Wilson became the Steelers’ starter in Week 7.
Wilson led Pittsburgh to a 10–3 record, but the team lost the final five games of the season, including the Wild Card round game against the Baltimore Ravens.
Wilson still loves to throw the deep ball, but he’s far more conservative at this point in his career. Wilson finished last season with 2,482 yards passing, 16 touchdowns, and five interceptions.
The Giants also signed Winston to a one-year deal. Winston is the polar opposite of Wilson — exciting, reckless, and fearless. Winston will throw for 300 yards and then turn around and throw three interceptions.
Because of his experience, the Giants will start Wilson. New York faces the No. 1 toughest schedule this season. If the Giants get off to a slow start, expect Dart to come off the bench sooner rather than later.
