The New York Giants haven’t been truly competitive in years—aside from the 2022 season, when new head coach Brian Daboll got a productive year out of Daniel Jones, leading the team to 10 wins and a road playoff victory. However, the two seasons that followed were far less encouraging.
Now, in 2025, the outlook is different. With Jones no longer on the roster, the Giants brought in three quarterbacks to compete for the starting job. Super Bowl champion and veteran Russell Wilson is the clear favorite, but Jameis Winston and rookie Jaxson Dart could challenge him during minicamps, setting up a heated battle in Giants preseason.
Giants QB Battle Intensifies as Minicamp Arrives
The Giants’ offseason was among the best in the entire NFL, especially in the draft. The team added promising young talent, with rookies Abdul Carter, Darius Alexander, Cam Skattebo, and, of course, Jaxson Dart standing out. Dart is widely seen as the future of the position in New York, whether he sees playing time in 2025 or not.
Dart’s arrival speaks volumes about the franchise’s current direction.
In 2024, GM Joe Schoen made the tough decision to let Saquon Barkley walk in free agency—only for Barkley to sign with division rivals, the Philadelphia Eagles. Barkley went on to have one of the best seasons ever by a running back, leaving fans feeling the Giants made a huge mistake. But context matters.
Given Barkley’s injury history and declining production, keeping him wasn’t a logical move for New York. What followed was painful, but Schoen’s choice reflected the natural cycle of the running back position. Still, the fanbase was hurt, and drafting Dart the next year symbolized a fresh start and new hope.
Giants Rookie QB Jaxson Dart on meeting with Brian Daboll.
“If you’re not prepared, don’t step into the meeting because you’re going to get grilled” pic.twitter.com/fqv7mADR2o
— awthentik (@awthentik) May 21, 2025
Dart possesses the promising tools that fit the mold of today’s modern quarterbacks. He’s also the first quarterback Brian Daboll has personally hand-picked at the top of the draft, so expectations are high that he’ll eventually take over. That said, a Week 1 takeover seems unlikely, as Russell Wilson remains firmly in the QB room.
Wilson’s arrival appears to be a short-term move aimed at helping the Giants regain competitiveness. The addition of Malik Nabers has revived the offense’s explosiveness, while Tyrone Tracy had a solid rookie campaign despite tough circumstances.
Combined with Schoen’s roster-building, the Giants are positioned to start 2025 with one of the NFL’s best defenses.
Outside of the QB question, Schoen’s work has drawn little criticism — the missing piece was always a long-term answer at quarterback. Of the three quarterbacks added this offseason, Winston seems the least likely to win the starting job, though he did take first-team reps during OTAs.
The Giants face one of the toughest schedules in the NFL, making a 2025 playoff run a long shot. Still, the outlook is more promising than in recent years, and the quarterback competition is a positive sign. No matter who emerges as the starter, fans can expect steady growth throughout the season and a brighter future ahead.