If Jaxson Dart could write a book about Russell Wilson right now, the title would probably read, “From Idol to Rival”. Dart vividly remembers that one day from a decade ago when his family was practically hunched over the television set watching the action unfold. As a 26-year-old scruffy-haired Wilson reached the Super Bowl XLVIII—after throwing nearly half as many touchdown passes that season as league superstar Peyton Manning—hope for The Hawks was a dwindling affair. But Dart always believed. Donning Wilson’s No. 10 Seahawks jersey, the 10-year-old’s expectations did not falter once in those four hours.

To the larger community, Wilson was just that up-and-coming kid who was destined to hang his head low as he exited MetLife Stadium that day. But to Dart, Wilson was the hero, the idol, the enigma. And the one person that Jaxson didn’t imagine (not even in his wildest dreams) would become his competitor exactly 10 years later, let alone compete for the same role.

Now, as the 2025 season inches closer, the Giants’ QB room has emerged to be the biggest mystery. “You need a reality show for that [quarterbacks] room,” one NFL head coach quipped about “the image-conscious Wilson, the gregarious Winston, the swaggy Dart and the local darling in DeVito”. But the biggest storyline? The starter role which probably has Wilson and his ex-devotee Dart in a fierce battle. Or at least that’s what the narrative was until both decided it was time to pretend roster worries didn’t matter when it came to brotherhood.

On Tuesday, Russell Wilson’s Instagram story added a subtle yet significant twist. Reposting the Giants’ birthday tribute on the social media platform, the 10x Pro Bowler captioned it with a simple, “HBD Bro 🎉🙌🏻🙌🏻”. While seemingly benign, this gesture has sparked discussions among fans and analysts alike. Given Jaxson Dart’s aspirations and Wilson’s position as the team’s starting quarterback, the message’s timing and tone have been interpreted in various ways.

In recent interviews, Dart’s respect for Wilson has also shined through. “I’m stepping into an amazing room with a Super Bowl‑winning quarterback who can see it from a different lens at such an elite level,” Dart said on draft night, adding that he “can’t wait to go learn from him, go learn from all the other guys in Tommy and Jameis in the room”. Wilson’s take on Dart is just as telling—and refreshingly straightforward: “At the same time, I just want to compete and make everyone else better in the room,” he noted when asked about sharing snaps with the rookie. 

Even on social media, Russell has given Jaxson Dart his stamp of approval—commenting “Congrats fellas! 💪🏾💪🏾 🍎” beneath a post welcoming Dart to the Giants and tagging him directly. Between those words and their on‑field camaraderie, it’s clear that while the competition is real, mutual respect has already laid a solid foundation. With both vets and rookies showing each other love on and off the field, the stage is set for a real showdown in camp.

Jaxson Dart’s drive and the Giants’ quarterback conundrum

Dart’s story reads like a fairytale: a kid who used to rock Wilson’s jersey is now standing beside him in the same locker room. But let’s not forget—the NFL runs on results, not nostalgia. At rookie minicamp, Jaxson Dart wasn’t just showing up; he was organizing walkthroughs, quizzing teammates on play calls, and generally proving he’s got that next‑level work ethic. Coach Brian Daboll even called out how dialed‑in and ready the kid is. Over his Ole Miss run, Dart piled up about 11,970 passing yards and 81 touchdowns over 45 games, good for fourth all‑time in SEC total offense with 12,115 yards. 

His senior year was peak Dart: a 69.3 percent completion rate, 4,279 air yards and 29 TDs against just six picks, plus nearly 500 rushing yards and three more scores on the ground. Oh, and he shattered Eli Manning’s Ole Miss career passing mark and earned Peach Bowl MVP honors after torching Penn State—solid resume stuff that had scouts buzzing. Then at the Combine, Dart showed he’s more than just gamer stats. He reportedly clocked a sub‑4.6 forty and ripped off a 34‑inch vertical jump, cementing his status as a bona fide first‑round buzz candidate. 

Now he’s carrying that same fire into Giants camp, where coaches can’t stop talking about how quickly he’s adapting to the playbook and the locker‑room vibe. Even with seasoned passers on the roster, the Giants still rolled the dice on Dart at the draft. Sure, Wilson brings the veteran savvy, but Dart delivers a fresh spark and, frankly, a chip on his shoulder. That mix sets up a real “old guard vs. new blood” storyline that could shake up the QB room as the season rolls on.

In a league where every post is parsed, was it a genuine pat on the back or a quiet reminder of who’s in charge? Depends on who you ask. Looking ahead, all eyes will be on how Dart handles training camp and the preseason. Keep making plays, and coaches will have to make some tough calls come Week 1. Right now, healthy competition is the name of the game, with each QB pushing the others to raise their A‑game.

At the end of the day, wins won’t come from highlight throws alone. It’s about locker room vibes, game‑plan smarts, and rolling with the punches. Dart’s arrival gives the Giants real depth, and whether Wilson’s birthday nod was just friendly or a power move, one thing’s clear: New York’s QB saga just got a lot juicier.