The New York Giants' Jaxson Dart era might begin today, after all.
At least in part.
The Giants have prepared a package of plays for their first-round rookie quarterback in the game plan for Sunday’s regular-season opener against the Washington Commanders, sources say, after three impressive showings from Dart in the preseason convinced the team he's ready for regular-season action.
There's no guarantee head coach Brian Daboll and offensive coordinator Mike Kafka will employ the plays for Dart, who completed 32 of 47 passes for 372 yards, three touchdowns and zero interceptions in the preseason. Much will depend on game flow, situational strategy and how starter Russell Wilson performs in his first game as the Giants' starter. But the plays are ready to go if needed and Dart is the No. 2 quarterback ahead of Jameis Winston, which allows the rookie to enter and exit the game in a way he wouldn't be able to if he were listed as the third, emergency quarterback.
A package of plays for a backup quarterback is often reserved for players who are dynamic with their legs and can offer a change of pace in the way Seahawks rookie Jalen Milroe is expected to do for Seattle beginning with their Week 1 game against the San Francisco 49ers.
Wilson last year with Pittsburgh sometimes ceded the field to then-Steelers backup Justin Fields so defenses would have to defend his dual running and passing abilities. Dart showed in the preseason he can create time to throw with his legs when plays break down or even pick up yards on a scramble (he had six rushes for 52 yards and a rushing touchdown), but his running ability is not his primary plan of attack.
Simply getting Dart on the field, capitalizing on his readiness to play and getting him some regular-season action while Wilson starts seems to be the impetus for the Giants' carving out a piece of the game plan for the 25th-overall pick, whom the Giants traded up to draft in April.
Daboll, who reiterated that Wilson was the starter at the beginning of training camp to make it clear there wouldn't be a competition, has been infatuated with Dart since getting to know him through the draft process. SportsNet New York reported on Sept. 2 that Daboll shook Dart's hand after the preseason game against the New York Jets on Aug. 16 and told him, "I love you."
After his impressive preseason, Dart told reporters, "Russ has completely earned (the starting) role, and he's played amazing, played elite. So, for me, I just want to be the best teammate, and I just want this team to win. Whatever my role is for that to happen, I'm going to do that to the best of my ability."
The New York Daily News reported on Sept. 4 that the Giants did not make Dart and Winston available to the media this past week despite requests from reporters. It's possible the reasoning was to make sure no one slipped up and gave away how much Dart is part of the game plan against Washington.
