Replacing Daniel Jones in New York is a completely revamped quarterback room, and entering training camp, all eyes are on the signal-callers. The legendary John Madden once said, “If you have two quarterbacks, you have no quarterback.”
The Giants might have three.
Pro Football Network recently labeled the Giants’ quarterback situation the biggest question mark on the roster entering training camp, saying “it remains to be seen” how the QB room will fare. But the truth might be more complicated than that.
There’s 36-year-old Super Bowl champion Russell Wilson, whose best days are clearly behind him, yet remains a more than capable bridge starter. Next is former No. 1 overall pick Jameis Winston, who is now joining his fifth NFL team.
Then there’s first-round rookie Jaxson Dart, who shined at minicamp. But the 22-year-old is not yet ready for NFL action despite throwing for 4,279 yards and 29 touchdowns in his senior season at Ole Miss. The expectation is that Dart, selected 25th overall, will learn behind the veterans—ideally without being thrown into action too soon.
It’s clear the Giants are betting on layered competition. Wilson likely gets the Week 1 start, Winston offers insurance, and Dart develops at his own pace under one of the league’s best QB whisperers. But if the season goes awry, fans could want to see him earlier than anticipated.
So yes—there’s uncertainty, and potentially a lot of moving parts. But that doesn't necessarily make this the team’s biggest issue.
The Giants' offensive line poses more concern than their QB room
PFN’s assessment is somewhat unfair. In reality, the quarterback play almost has nowhere to go but up after six rocky seasons of Jones. The more pressing concern isn’t whose lining up under center, but who will protect them.
New York’s offensive line remains a major question mark after a 2024 season riddled with injuries, inconsistency, and blown protections. Outside of Andrew Thomas, who has missed 18 games over the last two seasons, the group lacks true cohesion.
Evan Neal and John Michael Schmitz has failed to live up to expectations after being high draft picks in 2022 and 2023, and Jon Runyan was one of the lowest-graded interior linemen in football last year, according to PFF.
Regardless of who’s under center, succeeding behind such a battered offensive line will be an uphill battle.
Offensive line coach Carmen Bricillo had the unit looking solid in the first six weeks of the season, when injuries began to take form. ,The versatile Marcus Mbow looks like a day three gem and Jermaine Eluemenor was solid last season. Additionally, Neal’s move to guard could revive the career of the 2022 No. 7 overall pick, and the entire starting line from the first six weeks is back in blue.
Both Eluemenor and Greg Van Roten followed Bricillio to New York in 2024 after he coached them in Las Vegas, which helped somewhat stabilize the unit. But the good news is that their familiarity with his scheme puts the line in a better position entering Bricillio’s second season at the helm.
After signing Aaron Stinnie, James Hudson, and Stone Forysthe this offseason, the depth of the unit is stronger than it had been previously. Especially with Neal and Joshua Ezeudu in a rotational role for the G-Men.
The QB battle might grab headlines, but make no mistake: if Big Blue can’t protect the pocket, none of it will matter. This season will be won or lost up front.
