Looks like there’s a decent shot Jaxson Dart could see some playing time this season—even though Russell Wilson is almost definitely starting Week 1.
The pressure’s on for Giants head coach Brian Daboll and GM Joe Schoen. They’re in year four, and team co-owner John Mara is getting pretty impatient. So, if the Giants get off to another rough start (which wouldn’t be shocking), Daboll and Schoen might throw Dart into the mix and sit Wilson, even if he’s healthy. Basically, if the season is going off the rails early, the team might use Dart’s development as a reason to keep the current regime around.
Legendary Giants QB Phil Simms thinks Dart *has* to play at some point this year. He said as much on Monday during his chat with Kay Adams on the “Up & Adams” show.
When asked if he liked the idea of Dart sitting all year to watch and learn, Simms didn’t hold back: “No, not even close,” he said. “That’s the most overused, dumb thing people say on TV.”
So why’s Simms so sure Dart needs to play as a rookie?
He shared a story from his own career: Back in 1979, he wasn’t ready to start right away. But after standing on the sidelines for a few games, he started to get it—and just a couple weeks later, he was the starter. He said that’s the sweet spot: let the rookie get a feel for the league, then get him in there.
Ideally, Simms said, the Giants start the season looking solid—not necessarily playoff-bound, but improved. Then, around midseason, if things aren’t trending toward something special, it’s time to give Dart his shot. Let him get real reps, take some lumps, and start learning on the job—because that’s how quarterbacks actually grow in the NFL.
Giants Great Has a Message for Daboll: “Don’t Mess Up Dart!”
