Giants’ Perfect Jameis Winston Trade Partner Emerges, Which Could Get Jaxson Dart Closer to Starting

First-round rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart may have already leapfrogged veteran Jameis Winston on the depth chart, which could open up a fascinating trade possibility for general manager Joe Schoen and the New York Giants.

During the first training camp practice of the summer, Dart got on the field ahead of Winston, potentially telegraphing that the No. 25 overall pick could already be the No. 2 quarterback on the Giants’ depth chart behind Russell Wilson.

Meanwhile, in Florham Park, New York Jets quarterback Justin Fields was carted off the field with an apparent lower leg injury during Thursday’s practice.

While it remains to been just how severe Fields’ injury is, or if he will miss any playing time, the uncertainty could make these two Garden State neighbors an ideal trade partner.

If Fields does miss any time, former Giants quarterback Tyrod Taylor would be forced into action as the Jets’ starting quarterback but the depth chart is rather thin behind the 35-year-old veteran. The Jets’ other remaining quarterback options currently on the roster are 25-year-old Adrian Martinez, and rookie Brady Cook.

Even if Fields’ injury turns out to be minor, and he only misses a few snaps or few days of practice this summer, there’s an argument that Winston could be an upgrade over Taylor and certainly over Martinez as an insurance policy on the former first-round draft choice of the Chicago Bears missing time in his first season in New York.

Trading Winston to the Jets would add veteran depth and experience in Florham Park, while potentially netting the Giants a draft pick to continue building out the roster with or a veteran player capable of contributing today.

Should the Giants feel confident that Dart is a competent option, already, if forced into action by an injury to Wilson, trading Winston who was essentially signed as veteran insurance may be the best avenue for New York to continue its rebuild.

Brian Daboll Throws Open Giants’ Quarterback 2 Battle

GettyBrian Daboll and the New York Giants are preparing for Russell Wilson to open the 2025 season as the starting quarterback.

Giants head coach Brian Daboll didn’t exactly dismiss the notion that Dart could wrangle the No. 2 quarterback job away from Winston before training camp got underway.

“Yeah, we’re going to go out here, we’re going to practice, guys are going to compete,” Daboll told reporters, when asked about the state of the quarterback room. “And the roster will be set when the roster’s set. Our goal right now is just to improve each person every day and we’ll take it from there.”

Winston, 31, certainly adds veteran experience to the quarterback room as he enters 11th NFL season, but with Wilson sitting atop the depth chart, it is fair to wonder if the former No. 1 overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft’s leadership isn’t both redundant and a roadblock to Dart seeing meaningful action.

According to Daboll, Dart has already made a strong impression this spring, offering some internal optimism about the trajectory of the offense around the former Ole Miss standout in the years ahead.

“I think it’s important for all the players to develop,” Daboll told reporters, of Dart. “That’s what this time of year is for. And then once we’re ready to go against Washington, we put the best guys out there that we see fit. Russell’s (Wilson) had a really good spring, the other quarterbacks have as well. I like that room. I like the direction the room is headed. But for all young players, I know you asked about Jaxson, but it’s really every young player, our goal is to develop those guys and when they’re called upon, be ready to go.”

If Dart is ready, and at some point shows he can even outplay Wilson, getting the rookie meaningful snaps might be what’s best both for his development and the franchise’s future.

Adam Schefter Has Bold Take on Jaxson Dart’s Chances of Winning Giants’ Starting Job

Ishika Samant | GettyNew York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart could push Russell Wilson for the starting job.

Even though the Giants seem intent on planning to start Russell Wilson in Week 1, at this time of year, most NFL depth charts are effectively written in sand.

During a recent appearance on the Talkin’ Ball with Pat Leonard podcast, ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter suggested that Dart will have every opportunity to supplant Wilson and lead the offense out onto the field against the Washington Commanders in September.

“If he impresses enough,” Schefter said. “If we look back on other quarterbacks to win jobs over veterans early on, what stands out ot me is Russell Wilson in 2012. He was a third-round draft pick, the 75th overall selection, the Seahawks traded for Charlie Whitehurst, they signed Matt Flynn, and Russell Wilson came out and played so well in the preseason that they had no choice but to start him. Everybody could recognize that he was the best quarterback in the room.

“I go back to when the Dallas Cowboys drafted Dak Prescott in the fourth round, and he came out in the preseason and he lit it up. I think that the plan going in is to have Russell Wilson start the season, but that doesn’t mean that Jaxson Dart couldn’t go into camp, go into the preseason, and play so well that everybody could see it, and they are left no other choice.”

Whether Dart can follow in those footsteps and knock Wilson from the top spot on the depth chart remains to be seen. But, the Giants clearly believe that Dart has the potential to eventually develop into a franchise quarterback, or New York wouldn’t have traded back into the first-round of April’s draft to select him No. 25 overall.

After passing for a career-high 4,279 yards with 29 touchdowns to six interception in his final collegiate season in Oxford, if Dart’s production and traits translate quickly to the NFL level he could force Daboll and the Giants’ hand this summer.

“Jaxson Dart would have to go change their mind during the preseason, and play so well to win that. Can he do it? Sure, he can do that. By the way, if he’s going to be the kind of quarterback that the Giants hope he can be, that would be the quickest, safest, and easiest way to do it. Show them right out of the gate that he’s a big-time quarterback. Every quarterback develops at a different pace and level, he might not win that job out of the gate and still be effective one day.

“If he does win that job out of camp, Russell Wilson isn’t going to be happy about it but that’s going to set the Giants up for years to come.”