Giants need Russell Wilson to be savior now while Jaxson Dart is future

Giants fans enjoyed a rare sight this preseason. A free agent, big-name quarterback overshadowed by his potential successor.

The summer was all about Jaxson Dart and the secret plan for his development that coach Brian Daboll didn’t reveal. His excellent preseason gave Giants fans every reason to dream about the rookie’s future being bright

Yet now, that’s all going away. Starting this week, it’s officially the Russell Wilson era. It’s time to show why the Giants took a chance on him after a so-so year in Pittsburgh.

They signed Wilson this offseason to have an immediate impact. He, not Dart, is the quarterback who’s supposed to give hope that the Giants can put last year’s 3-14 record behind them.

He’s the quarterback who’s been courtside for Knicks games and been spotted at Yankee games. The spotlight returns next Sunday against the Commanders and the Giants need to see Wilson be a great quarterback in addition to a great motivator.

“The leadership’s been tremendous from the minute he walked in the building,” general manager Joe Schoen said. “Not just on offense or in the quarterback room but across the entire team, so he’s looked good this camp. He had a good camp. He’s in good shape and [I’m] excited to see what it looks like come the regular season.

Wilson’s gone under-the-radar because Dart’s been more visible on the field. Wilson led five drives this preseason, which is almost expected for a veteran entering Year 14.

It’s a strange twist for a high profile quarterback addition. Consider the Jets where Justin Fields has been dissected and discussed more openly.

But that’s what happens when a team signs a marquee player and drafts a future one at his position. So now Wilson has the chance to prove himself worthy of keeping the rush of attention he’ll get this week and beyond.

Yet his limited preseason snaps make you wonder what’s still left in his tank. The hope in his ability to elevate the Giants’ offense is based on overall resume than recent work.

Wilson’s arm and legs got teams to the playoffs nine times in his 13 seasons. But they’ve also diminished the last three years. The Broncos were done with him after two seasons.

The Steelers made him a one-year rental. So what exactly are the Giants getting?

Off the field, Wilson’s been everything as expected. His teammates love the tone he’s set and his good vibes being as natural as the deep ball he throws. They also praise his attention to detail.

“Whenever it comes to routes, he wants to know exactly where you're going to be in certain spots,” receiver Wan’Dale Robinson said. “He's just going to let you know exactly what he needs out of you, which is definitely something that I feel like we've needed as a whole team."

It’s been an incredible sales pitch from Wilson in this first phase of his job. Now it needs to work in this second and most important phase — the regular season.

Wilson wasn’t a floor raiser with the Broncos or Steelers. In Wilson’s first seven games with the Steelers, he averaged 254.9 passing yards. The final four, which were losses, he averaged 174.5 yards

He also doesn’t scramble like he used to. At 36 years old, he shouldn’t be expected to but his legs are part of his game. A less mobile Wilson, given his tendency to get sacked, might affect his effectiveness.

Yes, Wilson is a significant upgrade from the last few years. How much so will be seen starting next Sunday. Anybody with proven success and a strong arm is better than the six Giants quarterbacks who have taken snaps since 2023.

This is where the hype starts for the quarterback expected to be this year’s savior. That’s not Dart, whose hype is about future hope than present reality.

That’s Wilson, who’s handled that burden before but not since leaving the Seahawks after 2022. To save his career, he has to elevate a Giants team desperate for good quarterback play.

Wilson needs to prove he’s the right fit before Dart is pulled out of the closet like a fall or winter coat. He’s escaped much scrutiny thanks to Dart’s arrival but that changes this week.

Wilson’s brought goodwill and a high standard since he arrived. Time will tell if he can deliver what he’s really needs to bring — wins and an elevated offense to turn his hype into something tangible before Dart takes over.