Giants stick with Russell Wilson; no urgency to promote rookie Jaxson Dart, report says

The New York Giants plan to keep Russell Wilson as their starting quarterback for the foreseeable future, with no immediate urgency to elevate rookie Jaxson Dart, ESPN reporter Adam Schefter said Sunday.

The stance holds despite Wilson's uneven performance in Week 1, when the veteran completed 17 of 37 passes and the Giants fell 21-6 to Washington. Head coach Brian Daboll had earlier confirmed Wilson would start in Week 2 against the Dallas Cowboys, and the club's broader plan is to let Dart continue learning behind the veteran rather than force an early promotion.

Dart, a first-round pick out of Ole Miss, impressed during the preseason, completing 32 of 47 passes for 372 yards and three touchdowns across three exhibition games. NFL Network reported the Giants installed a package of plays designed for Dart in Week 1 that ultimately went unused, and Schefter's reporting suggested the organization does not feel pressured to change course after one regular-season game.

Complicating any decision to insert Dart is an injury to left tackle Andrew Thomas. Thomas, the anchor of the Giants' offensive line and a second-team All-Pro in 2022, has been sidelined by a Lisfranc injury and is listed as doubtful for Sunday’s game in Dallas. James Hudson III is expected to start on Wilson's blind side if Thomas cannot play, a change that could affect protection and the development environment for a rookie quarterback.

Dart said Friday that he is preparing for whatever opportunity comes and declined to attach a timetable to his own promotion. "I'm just preparing for whatever chance I get," he said. "So there is not a specific game plan or something like that. It's me just trying to be prepared and be ready whenever my number is called." He added that outside reactions are part of the game: "Anytime that you don't win, people talk and things like that happen. It's completely different if you win. You have to take all that with a grain of salt, and my job is to control what I can control and be the best teammate I can be."

Wilson, who entered training camp as the presumptive starter over Dart and veteran Jameis Winston, retained the job throughout camp and the preseason. He responded to criticism on social media this week with a two-word post, "Mentally Tough." The Giants' offense struggled to find rhythm in Week 1, and Wilson absorbed a pair of sacks in a game that produced little scoring from New York.

The Week 2 matchup presents a challenging test: Dallas surrendered 21 first-half points to the Philadelphia Eagles last week before tightening up in the second half, allowing only a field goal in a 24-20 loss to the reigning Super Bowl champions. The Giants will face that Cowboys defense with a projected lineup that may be without Thomas on the left side.

Giants fans and observers called for Dart's early promotion after the opener, but the organization’s approach underscores a preference for a measured developmental path. Allowing Dart to continue learning behind an experienced starter aligns with how the team handled the quarterback competition through training camp and the preseason, when Wilson held the edge despite Dart's flashes in exhibition play.

As the season progresses, the Giants' plans could evolve based on performance, injuries and game-day results. For now, the club's public posture and reporting by Schefter indicate Wilson will remain the starting quarterback while Dart remains in a preparatory role.