As the New York Giants prepare for a pivotal 2025 season, the quarterback question looms large: Should veteran Russell Wilson start in Week 1, or is it time to turn the offense over to rookie Jaxson Dart?
Opinions on the matter vary, but former New York Jets general manager Mike Tannenbaum has made his stance unmistakably clear and controversial.
Former Jets GM Urges Giants to Start Jaxson Dart Over Russell Wilson in Week 1
On ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter’s show “Schefty’s Summer Stories,” Tannenbaum didn’t mince words. “Three weeks ago from Day One, practice one, put him in,” Tannenbaum said, referencing Dart. “You rather win five games with an ascending Jaxson Dart greenie than win six or seven with an aging Russell Wilson.”
“We put Mark Sanchez in from Day One,” Tannenbaum said about the former Jets’ quarterback. “We got to the AFC Championship game with the Jets. And if I’m the Giants, Jaxson Dart is our future.”
Tannenbaum’s comments add fuel to an already simmering debate. Dart, a three-year starter at Ole Miss, has shown glimpses of his potential during OTAs and minicamp.
His ability to throw with a good touch, absorb coaching guidance, and bring confidence into the huddle has impressed Giants head coach Brian Daboll, who told The Athletic’s Charlotte Carroll, “He’s smart. He’s aggressive with the football, which I like.”
Despite this, the Giants appear to be proceeding cautiously. The offseason plan positioned Wilson as the likely Week 1 starter, a role he has embraced by taking leadership both on and off the field.
Wilson has held private workouts with Giants’ wide receivers, bonded with linemen over dinner, and earned praise for his command of the New York offense.
“We haven’t had a quarterback that’s going to command everything, and you know exactly what (they) want,” receiver Wan’Dale Robinson said of Wilson. Dart added, “He’s in such command… he just has a confidence about him that everybody feels confident when he is out there playing for him.”
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Analysts like Mark Schlereth of “Breakfast Ball on FS1” echoed Tannenbaum’s urgency, suggesting that the Giants should “rip the Band-Aid” and start Dart immediately, citing Denver’s 2024 decision to move on from Wilson and roll with rookie Bo Nix.
Key differences, though, remain. Unlike Denver, the Giants signed Wilson before drafting Dart and seem intent on providing the rookie with a more structured, supportive environment than what former Giants quarterback Daniel Jones endured.
The Giants aren’t expected to contend for a title this season, but the stakes remain high. A rushed decision could repeat past mistakes.
For now, the Giants’ organization seems committed to developing Dart patiently. There is a possibility of giving Dart in-game reps behind Wilson if the opportunity arises. With voices like Tannenbaum’s growing louder, the quarterback debate is far from settled.
