Phil Simms didn't start as a rookie for the New York Giants, and neither should Jaxson Dart. But according to the Giants' legend and Pro Football Hall of Famer, Dart should get his chance later in the 2025 season.
After finally giving up on Daniel Jones, the Giants signed veteran Russell Wilson in free agency and then traded up in the draft's first round for Ole Miss rookie Dart. Also in the mix is veteran journeyman Jameis Winston, and perennial backup Tommy DeVito.
Wilson will likely be the starter in Week 1. But how long until the Giants hand the reins to Dart?
"The ideal situation to me - let's not talk about playoffs and all that about the Giants - but they get off to a decent start, the whole team is better than it was last year, the defensive line the last two drafts I think have been very good, all that, and we're respectable," Simms said this week. "But then there comes a point ... six, seven, eight weeks into the season, then I think, unless you see there's an opportunity to really be great, we gotta find the spot to get Jaxson Dart in there and give him some experience and let him have some success and some failures because that's how you grow in the NFL as a quarterback."
Simms had to wait until Week 5 in 1979 to make his first start, then won six of 10 on his way to make the All-Rookie team.
By all accounts Dart is impressing the organization with his football IQ during this offseason. Sooner or later, his time will come. And according to Simms, it will arrive in the 2025 season.