Last season, the New York Giants faced a scenario every NFL team dreads — a quarterback depth chart that was paper-thin.
By the close of the 2024 campaign, they were scrambling to plug holes, relying on makeshift solutions without any real consistency at the position.
Determined not to repeat that chaos, the Giants took a proactive approach this offseason.
They brought in not one, but two experienced quarterbacks — Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston — before the NFL Draft even began. Wilson signed a fully guaranteed one-year deal worth $10.5 million, giving him the inside track to start in 2025.
Winston agreed to a two-year, $8 million contract, with $5.25 million guaranteed and incentives baked in.
A potential franchise QB enters the picture
However, their most eye-catching move came on draft night.
With the 25th overall pick, the Giants selected Jaxson Dart — an unpolished but physically gifted quarterback with immense potential.
The blueprint is straightforward: let Dart sit and learn in 2025, then hand him the reins in 2026.
It’s a logical, forward-thinking strategy — one the Giants have struggled to execute due to years of quarterback uncertainty.
But there’s a twist looming beneath this new depth chart.
If Dart develops quickly, Winston’s role could shrink
Winston was brought in to be the reliable veteran backup — ready to step in if Wilson is injured or underperforms.
But should Dart impress during training camp and beyond, he could leapfrog Winston as the team’s No. 2 option.
That scenario might prompt the Giants to explore trading Winston before the deadline, especially given how valuable QB depth is across the league.
Teams in need — like Winston’s former squad, the New Orleans Saints, or the Miami Dolphins, who lack strong options behind Tua Tagovailoa — could emerge as suitors.
What a trade could mean for New York
Winston’s contract is team-friendly and contains enough flexibility to appeal to quarterback-needy franchises.
A midseason trade could net the Giants a late-round selection in the 2026 draft.
It wouldn’t be a blockbuster return, but for a player not expected to be part of the long-term future, it’s a smart asset play.
It would also put Dart one step closer to starting, accelerating his development timeline.
A QB room finally built the right way
This is the kind of quarterback structure the Giants have lacked for years — balanced, adaptable, and forward-thinking.
Wilson provides veteran presence. Winston is a short-term safety net. Dart is the long-term hope.
If everything aligns, the Giants might even turn their depth into future draft capital.
It’s not flashy.
But it’s strategic.
And it could be exactly what this franchise has been missing.
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