Giants OTAs kick off: How did Russell Wilson, Jameis Winston, Jaxson Dart fare?

New York Times

6 days ago

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Since before the 2024 season even ended, the focus in New York has been on what the new Giants quarterback room would look like and how snaps would be divided.
With the room reassembled this offseason, we finally got a glimpse during Wednesday's first organized team activity (OTAs) open to the media. And just as coach Brian Daboll said, all four quarterbacks — Russell Wilson, Jameis Winston, Tommy DeVito and Jaxson Dart — got reps as the Giants completed 7-on-7 and 11-on-11 drills around the red zone.
Advertisement
'We have a detailed plan of how we're going to handle the quarterbacks,' Daboll said Wednesday.
Wilson emerged as the early starting favorite in Wednesday's first look, earning the most first-team reps — no surprise given Daboll said as much earlier this spring.
Giants QBs in action: Russell Wilson, Jameis Winston, Tommy DeVito and Jaxson Dart pic.twitter.com/Cp9V1V4heb
— Charlotte Carroll (@charlottecrrll) May 28, 2025
Wilson has earned praise from teammates and Daboll alike for his 14-year career that includes a Super Bowl XLVIII victory. The Giants signed the veteran to a one-year deal worth $10.5 million guaranteed this offseason after Wilson's one-year stint with the Steelers.
'There's a reason why he has had the career that he's had,' Daboll said. 'When you look at his work ethic, his commitment to being the best version of himself that he can be, how he's out here at practice, his leadership traits within the players, his communication, not just with the receivers, tight ends, running backs, but with the offensive line. He's been a good addition for us.'
While Wilson got the majority of the first-team reps Wednesday, Winston and Dart each had some sprinkled in. Winston signed a two-year, $8 million deal this offseason. But attention has turned to Dart, the No. 25 pick in this year's draft, for whom the Giants traded up. Dart impressed early at rookie minicamp. While the goal will be for Dart to develop behind Wilson and Winston, that won't stop fans from pressing to see the potential new face of the franchise on the field. Dart took a few first-team reps on Wednesday, including a touchdown throw to receiver Jalin Hyatt on his first red zone rep with the starters.
DeVito, the hometown hero who suited up most notably in 2023, took only a handful of reps throughout the day.
'There's a lot of personalities in that room,' right guard Greg Van Roten said. 'They're all different. Not that one's better than the other. Russ is definitely very detailed. Jameis is a great locker room guy, Tommy is Tommy, and then we're learning about Jaxson, seeing what he's all about. They all bring something kind of unique and special to the room.'
Advertisement
Daboll said everybody was at the facility on Wednesday, even if not everyone on the roster participated in practice, given some players are rehabbing or dealing with illnesses. The coach added that the Giants have had 'great attendance' throughout the offseason program.
There were some notable non-participants, including last year's rookie receiving sensation Malik Nabers.
'We're being mindful of his toe that he's had,' Daboll said of Nabers' nagging toe injury that has plagued the receiver since his LSU days. 'Nothing serious, but we're being smart with him in terms of the rehab part of it. So that's where we're at.'
Nabers was spotted on the field, but left tackle Andrew Thomas and running back Tyrone Tracy were not. Veteran Devin Singletary assumed the RB1 role Wednesday and 2023 fifth-rounder Eric Gray was heavily involved in Tracy's place. Thomas suffered a season-ending Lisfranc injury and told The Athletic earlier this offseason that his biggest focus is taking his time as he comes back.
One of the important pieces of the Giants' offensive line puzzle has been Evan Neal's future. A 2022 first-rounder, Neal's career has gotten off to a disappointing start because of injuries and poor play. Drafted to take over at right tackle, he's appeared in just 29 games in three seasons. Jermaine Eluemunor took over the starting job last year and the Giants decided to move Neal inside, hoping to maximize his talents.
'He's a big man,' Daboll said. 'He's got length, he's obviously a little bit taller than I'd say traditional guards, but he's played it. He's played a number of positions since he's been at the University of Alabama. He's been working hard this last month and a half and (we) look forward to getting him out there.'
Neal spent Wednesday working at left guard, but not with the starters. Again, given the injuries, that line was a little different. Here's what it looked like during an install period: left tackle James Hudson III, left guard Jon Runyon Jr., center John Michael Schmitz, right guard Van Roten and right tackle Eluemunor. There was plenty of rotation beyond that starting quintet.
Advertisement
Offensive coordinator Mike Kafka was in control of the walkie-talkie, calling plays to Dart at rookie minicamp a few weeks back. That appeared to continue as OTAs kicked off publicly. Kafka once again manned the walkie-talkie in 7-on-7 and 11-on-11 situations.
The playcaller moniker is worth monitoring as Kafka initially called plays when the current regime arrived in 2022. But Daboll took over the role after a dismal 2023. Despite the change on the headset, the Giants still finished with the 31st-worst scoring offense. But don't expect an immediate answer — Daboll said there wouldn't be a resolution until the team heads into the preseason. So we'll keep watching the radios as OTAs continue and camp kicks off.
(Photo of Russell Wilson: Anne-Marie Caruso / Imagn Images)