The New York Giants continue to publicly support quarterback Russell Wilson, but their actions suggest there might be a shift coming. Head coach Brian Daboll is giving practice reps to rookie Jaxson Dart, hinting at a possible change down the line. Meanwhile, the Dallas Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer is not waiting to find out.

While the Giants publicly preach patience, the Cowboys are preparing for every eventuality. “I do know that the Cowboys have, at least, loosely prepared for a Jaxson Dart package,” ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported. The Giants have hinted at their plan since camp, using Dart in red-zone packages. Now, the Cowboys are preparing not just for Wilson, but also for the possibility of facing Dart on game day.

And why wouldn’t they? Multiple insiders have pointed to a potential shift. NFL insider Adam Schefter reported that the New York Giants have “no sense of urgency” to bench Russell Wilson, but adds this “doesn’t mean a change can’t come soon.”

The Cowboys’ head coach, familiar with Wilson from their time together in Seattle, knows how unpredictable quarterback situations can be. As he prepares for Sunday’s matchup, Schottenheimer also weighed in on Giants head coach Brian Daboll, noting his strategic approach: “He’s not going to give (the media) much,” he said, referencing their shared history on the Jets’ coaching staff. “He’s smart.”

Maybe Daboll is playing it smart, putting Dart in the spotlight just enough to stir hype and shift attention away from Wilson, keeping the pressure off his veteran while keeping defenses guessing. Meanwhile, he is crafting a plan for Wilson while giving Dart key reps to tap into his potential.

The Giants want a smooth transition. They hope 36-year-old Russell Wilson, who struggled in Week 1 with just 168 yards on 17-of-37 passing, can stabilize the offense. Meanwhile, rookie Jaxson Dart, who broke Eli Manning’s records at Ole Miss and impressed in the preseason with 291 yards and 3 total TDs, will develop from the sideline.

The entire plan depends on Wilson playing well. But with star left tackle Andrew Thomas, who protects Wilson’s blind side, likely out, that’s a tougher task. And with the offensive line already struggling, it’s not the ideal time to throw a rookie into the mix.

Giants’ QB gamble meets Dallas’ 13-game gauntlet

Back in 2004, the Giants benched Hall-of-Famer Kurt Warner, even with a 5-4 record, to start rookie Eli Manning. Now, two decades later, history could repeat itself. The team holds another promising rookie in Jaxson Dart, and if past decisions are any clue, they won’t hesitate to make a change when the time feels right.

For now, Dart is staying patient. He’s running the scout team, mimicking Dak Prescott in practice, while fans call for him to take the field. His attitude remains professional. “I’m just preparing for whatever chance I get,” Dart said on Friday.

“So there is not a specific game plan… It’s me just trying to be prepared and be ready whenever my number is called.” He is staying focused, acknowledging the outside noise but choosing 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.”

This Sunday marks the 127th all-time meeting between the Cowboys and Giants. Lately, it’s been a lopsided rivalry, Dallas has won 13 straight, fueled by Dak Prescott’s dominance: 30 touchdowns, 6 interceptions, and a 111.2 passer rating over that stretch.

Their most recent clash, a 27-20 Cowboys win on Thanksgiving 2024, still stings for New York. And with another showdown looming, the tension is rising, not just on the scoreboard, but behind the scenes.

Schottenheimer’s prep hints Dart could play sooner than expected. In the NFL’s high-stakes poker, the Cowboys have spotted the tell, and their response casts real doubt on the Giants’ quarterback plan.