Russell Wilson starts for the Giants, with rookie Jaxson Dart and veteran Jameis Winston backing him up. The depth chart confirms Dart as QB2, having leapfrogged Winston, who will serve as the emergency third-string option.

Jaxson Dart stated, “It’s not like, I don’t have a blast now watching from the sideline. But you know, it’s just the way that it is. My job is to do what I can control when I’m sitting there, like I’m itching, so you just want to compete. You want to be out there some ways, you kind of feel like a fan a little bit when you’re on the sideline, so it’s a little bit different from the feeling I’m used to. But I’m just trying to shift my perspective.” Dart completed 32 of 47 passes for 372 yards, threw three touchdowns, and had no interceptions. On the ground, he added six rushes for 52 yards and a rushing touchdown.

Dart went 14-of-16 for 137 yards with a touchdown pass, rushing score, and goal-line sneak. Dart started the preseason finale vs. the Patriots, throwing 26-of-35 for 291 yards, two touchdowns, and one rushing score. Also understands that no two paths are the same for a quarterback.  “I don’t pay attention to that stuff. It’s the nature of the sport – any time that you don’t win, people talk,” Dart added.  

Joining six weeks late, Dart spent four months at No. 3 but mostly ran with the second team. The Week 1 unofficial depth chart moved Dart up to No. 2. “Each day we’re trying to groom him, and when he has to play, he’ll be ready to play,” said Coach Brian Daboll.

Winston, age 31, signed a two-year deal and joined a quarterback room built around Wilson and Dart. He will mentor and prepare in the background, while contributing to leadership, preparation, and team culture. “As a competitor, you want to be the starter. But I prepare to be the starter; I know I’m a starter in this league. But you have to be able to be grateful for your role…my role right now is to assist Russ and Jaxson to be the best that they can be while preparing to be the best that I can be. No matter if I’m 3, 33, this is my first year being number 19, so it’s always a first for everything. I focus on what I would love. And what I would love is for this team to have success,” Jameis Winston said.

Both players have indicated their alignment with this structure. Dart has accepted the backup role while preparing for in-game opportunities with designed packages that leverage his mobility and accuracy. Winston has embraced the third-string role, focusing on readiness and support rather than contesting the starter role at this moment.

The Giants coaching staff has commended both for their professionalism. Coach Brian Daboll keeps Russell Wilson starting and positions Dart to contribute based on game flow or performance. Winston remains in reserve, ready if called upon.

Daboll stands by Russell Wilson, as the Giants seek a bounce-back vs. the Cowboys

Brian Daboll, for the upcoming match-up, said, “I have confidence in Russ.” Russell Wilson will remain the New York Giants’ starting quarterback for their Week 2 matchup at Dallas. “I’d say he made good decisions. The 1-on-1 matchups: sometimes it’s a throw, sometimes it’s a contested catch. It’s a collective effort. It’s not just Russ, but the entire offense. It starts with me, coaches, and players. We’ve got to do a better job collectively. ”

Russell Wilson completed 17 of 37 passes for 168 yards in the season opener loss to Washington, and added 44 yards rushing. With the 21-6 defeat. The offense lacked rhythm, with minimal rushing support and major protection issues on the offensive line. Readings were harsh, but Daboll emphasized that improving the whole offense, not just changing the QB, is the priority.

“It’s not about me, it’s about us as a collective group, and I think if we can play a little cleaner on first and second down, I mean, that’s the name we had so many second-and-longs and third-and-longs,” Russell Wilson said. The Giants will travel to face the Dallas Cowboys, who also dropped their opener. Wilson leads the offense as coaches address poor third-downs, red-zone inefficiency, and the touchdown drought from Week 1.

“My focus is to help the New York Giants win each and every day,” Wilson has stated in the past. With a tough road ahead featuring games against the Cowboys and Kansas City Chiefs, Wilson’s play over the next few games will be interesting.