Multiple reporters have noted since the New York Giants traded back
into the first round of the draft to grab quarterback Jaxson Dart that Giants head coach Brian Daboll and general manager Joe Schoen were with the Buffalo Bills when the Bills went against their original plan and started Josh Allen in Week 2 of his rookie season.
During a recent appearance on SiriusXM NFL Radio, Schoen insisted history won’t repeat itself this September as it pertains to developing Dart as a backup.
“That plan didn’t go as well, but we didn’t have a Russell Wilson or Jameis Winston in the room,” Schoen said while comparing the 2018 Bills to the 2025 Giants, as shared by Josh Alper of Pro Football Talk. “So again, Jaxson’s going to come in, he’s got to learn the offense, there’s a lot to learn, these NFL offenses are hard to grasp and pick up and then be able to go out and execute, so the ability for him to learn and sit behind two consummate pros already will be beneficial for him.”
Shortly after the Giants drafted Dart, Daboll declared that Wilson “will be our starter, and that’s how it’ll be once we get started here in the spring.” Schoen and Daboll clearly hope Wilson will remain atop the depth chart until further notice, but it’s worth noting that the one-time Super Bowl champion missed six games last season due to a lingering calf injury. He later lost his final five starts with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
There’s likely little Schoen or Daboll could say over the next couple of months to silence doubters who believe the two will rush Dart into action this fall in an attempt to save their jobs if the Giants enter November with a losing record. Interestingly, Schoen said during the SiriusXM segment that Dart will have “to go out and execute” if his number is called at any point during the campaign.
As of Thursday morning, FanDuel Sportsbook listed Wilson as a massive -1600 betting favorite to be the Giants’ Week 1 starting quarterback. One wonders how those odds may change if Dart makes some impressive throws early in training camp.