Russell Wilson remains penciled in as the Giants QB1, even after the team used a first-round selection on Jaxson Dart. However, if anyone was going to unseat Wilson from his unofficial starting gig, it’d likely be another notable name on the depth chart.
[RELATED: Russell Wilson Expects To Remain Giants’ Starting QB]
As Paul Schwartz of the New York Post writes, there are some inside the franchise who preferred Jameis Winston to Wilson. Specifically, the Winston proponents were focused on how the two acquisitions “came off in their visits” with the franchise before putting pen to paper.
To Wilson’s credit, he’s been putting in work on building a rapport with his new teammates. Per Schwartz, the QB has gone into “overdrive” as he tries to build relationships with his new squad. The veteran also drew praise for his showing at spring practices, although he’ll obviously only be judged on his performance during the regular season.
The two veterans signed within a week of each other, but the Giants have made it clear all along that Wilson will lead the depth chart and Winston will serve as the QB2. Wilson, of course, brings the track record and recent starting experience. The former Super Bowl champ has continued to start in his post-Seahawks career, including stints with the Broncos and Steelers. He’s only gone 17-24 over those three seasons, and it’s fair to wonder how short of a leash he’ll have in New York as Brian Daboll and Joe Schoen remain on the hot seat.
Winston doesn’t bring the same recent starting experience as his new teammate. Since leaving the Buccaneers after the 2019 season, the former first-overall pick has started only 17 games across five years. He went 5-2 with the Saints in 2021, but he’s since gone 3-7 in his last 10 starts. While Winston seemed to temporarily curb his turnover issues in New Orleans, he’s seen his interception rate come in at 4.4 percent over the past three years.
Both options are relatively uninspiring, especially for a Giants regime that’s on the brink of losing their jobs. Dart represents the unknown, and on most squads, it wouldn’t be surprising for a coach to eventually give their rookie a shot. In New York, it sounds like Dart may have to leapfrog two veterans if he has any hope of starting in 2025.
This really isn’t surprising, is it? Both have a penchant for freewheeling, but Winston can at least throw across the middle. He’s more careless with the football, but he can make every throw.
Wilson might be a little safer, but he can go rogue and hurl a deep ball at random times, too. I think that Wilson has the edge due to starting experience, but I could see why staffers could prefer Winston. I really don’t see why they signed both, but now they’re there, and I expect both to see time.
I was honestly a little disappointed when they signed Wilson, not bc of him, but bc it means Winston wouldn’t start. I don’t think Winston is the answer either to be clear – but I was excited for a reckless QB with some balls. I’d take a 30/30 season in a heart beat, they haven’t had a QB throw for more than 15 tds since 2019. Yuck.
“To Wilson’s credit, he’s been putting in work on building a rapport with his new teammates. Per Schwartz, the QB has gone into “overdrive” as he tries to build relationships with his new squad.”
Ah, the narcissistic lovebombing that made Mike Prisuta fall in love with Russ.
SOP.
How can Winston possibly be #2? You telling me Dart is going to be your emergency QB?