Brian Daboll’s Giants story opened like a movie, the rookie head coach riding into 2022 with fresh ideas, a 9-7 record, and a playoff win in Minnesota that had New York dreaming again. But the script flipped fast. The sequel in 2023 was a 6-11 stumble, and by 2024, the plot had crashed to a 3-14 nightmare, the franchise’s worst season in nearly 20 years. So, when Jaxson Dart walked into the building this spring, it wasn’t just another rookie introduction. It was an unveiling of hope. The Giants traded up to get him.

However, the preseason opener against the Bills is here. And the coach is making Dart sit on the sidelines when the game starts. Considering the preseason is usually a subtle preparation, and coaches often tend to use rookies and players ranked second or later, it was a shock. But Daboll’s thinking is pretty clear.

Jaxson Dart is not the starter for the season. He is placed second after Russell Wilson (or third after Jameis Winston) Moreover, Daboll would like to take a longer developmental curve, which he took with Josh Allen. In his 3rd year in 2020, the Bills finished 2nd in the league with 31.3 PPG. The Bills fans still refer to 2018-2021 as ‘The Brian Daboll Era.’ And he is following the same technique with the Ole Miss rookie.

From day 1, Brian Daboll didn’t coddle him. He built a quarterback room around him, pairing the rookie with Russell Wilson’s veteran poise and Jameis Winston’s battle scars. Then he turned camp into a live-fire simulator, pulling Jaxson Dart from second-team drills and dropping him in with the starters without warning.

However, the coach then surprised everyone with his announcement of Russell Wilson as the starter. But the veteran has a history of playing in the preseason.

Jaxson Dart replaced by the veteran for the preseason

Brian Daboll isn’t leaving the preseason opener to mystery, at least not under center. Russell Wilson, the 36-year-old vet with a resume full of big games and bigger moments, will start for the Giants against the Bills on Saturday in Orchard Park. It’s the same role Daboll expects him to hold a month from now when the regular season opens against Jayden Daniels and Washington.

This is what Daboll wanted when he signed Wilson in March to a one-year deal worth $10.5 million (max value $21M). A steady hand, a confident presence, and a guy who could walk into a huddle and own it. Wilson’s been that from day 1, telling reporters this week, “It’s the greatest gift in the world to be able to lead an organization like this to bring that championship mentality every day.” That’s not lip service, his playoff experience still resonates in an offense that leaned on a rookie wide receiver for leadership last season.

But here’s where it gets interesting. Wilson isn’t here to be the long-term savior. He’s here to stabilize the position while Jaxson Dart, the franchise’s bold first-round investment, learns the ropes. Wilson often uses the preseason to get used to the offensive ploys and strategies. He played for the Steelers last year under Mike Tomlin. This season, he is carrying the same responsibilities for the NY franchise.

Make no mistake, the Giants’ QB room is built with intent. Wilson’s poise, Winston’s experience, Dart’s upside. And with back-to-back seasons starting in flat, blown-out fashion, Daboll knows the edge has to show up in September, not just on paper.