The New York Giants will start quarterback Russell Wilson in 2025 with Jameis Winston poised to be the primary backup. However, many still believe that rookie Jaxson Dart, selected 25th overall in the 2025 NFL draft, will eventually find himself under center.

If that happens, something went drastically wrong for the Giants. Their ideal scenario would be to win with Wilson and develop Dart behind the two veterans.

“Look, the process of developing a quarterback is just that,” head coach Brian Daboll said in May. “We’re going to do everything we can to develop him and bring him along.”

Of course, teams feel pressure to start rookie quarterbacks, especially those selected in the first round. And given that the Giants traded up for Dart, he likely feels the weight of the world on his shoulders.

For those reasons, Josh Edwards of CBS Sports believes Dart will find himself under center before the 2025 regular season ends, naming him one of the top rookies with something to prove at the team’s upcoming minicamp.

The Giants traded up into the first round to secure Dart. There had been rumors of the front office and coaching staff’s infatuation with the quarterback prior to draft night and leadership has done nothing to hide those feelings post-selection. Dart may be the key to coach Brian Daboll and general manager Joe Schoen’s fate beyond this season, as well. 

In the short-term, New York will almost certainly start veteran Russell Wilson Week 1, but the franchise is expected to ready Dart for action by season’s end. 

After an up-and-down performance in OTAs, Dart will certainly have all eyes on him in minicamp. But given the Giants’ early plans for him, does he really have anything to “prove?” Perhaps if circumstances were different but for now, all Dart has to prove is that he’s willing to put in the work and be coachable.

This article originally appeared on Giants Wire: Jaxson Dart named a top rookie with something to prove at minicamp