Rookie playmaker Jaxson Dart shines for the New York Giants. Will the youngster be a threat to star quarterback Russell Wilson?

In life in general – and in team sports in particular – there is one rule: if you get chances, you had better take them. Jaxson Dart brilliantly put this wisdom into practice in the New York Giants’ second NFL preseason game against the New York Jets.

During a series of attacks by the Giants, with star quarterback Russell Wilson leading the way on the field, head coach Brian Daboll decided to send the rookie playmaker onto the field for a single play.

An unusual move – but one that paid off. Dart threw a screen pass over 30 yards to tight end Theo Johnson before returning straight back to the sideline.

“I thought to myself, ‘Okay, I didn’t know I was going to come in for one play and then come right back out,’” Dart said after the game.

“I think he creates situations where you never know when your turn is coming, and you have to be ready for it. He did that in practice, too. That showed me that I always have to be ready on the sidelines. You just never know when something like that is going to happen.”

According to Daboll, he didn’t tell anyone that he was going to send his quarterback gem onto the field for a single play during a drive. After the 31-12 win over the Jets, he said that not even his assistant coaches knew about it. But it was all part of a development plan he had drawn up for the rookie signal caller.

Strong performances in the preseason

A plan that seems to be paying off, as the 22-year-old continues to improve. And a plan that has put Dart in an excellent position after the first two preseason games.

Against the Buffalo Bills and the New York Jets, he completed 26 of 35 passes for 291 yards and two touchdowns, and the youngster also ran into the end zone himself against the city rivals. He didn’t throw an interception in either game.

“He did a good job,” his coach said after the game against the Jets, in which Dart had actually improved on his performance against the Bills.

Will Jaxson Dart replace Russell Wilson?

The performances of the first-round pick – the Giants selected him at number 25 in the NFL Draft at the end of April – are finally reigniting hope among the long-suffering fans of “Big Blue.”

For years, Giants fans have experienced disappointment at the quarterback position, with the Daniel Jones chapter in particular proving to be a huge flop.

However, the team is well positioned for the new season. The Giants have signed star quarterback Russell Wilson and have proven backups in Jameis Winston and Tommy de Vito. And then there’s rookie Dart, who is increasingly playing his way into the spotlight with his performances – and could well pose a threat to Wilson.

The US broadcaster ESPN summed it up in its analysis of the second preseason game against the Jets: “Although Russell Wilson led a touchdown drive early in the game, Dart is showing that he may be ready to start sooner rather than later.” This assessment is shared by other US media outlets.

Russell Wilson only has a one-year contract

Head coach Daboll, however, does not want to hear about it for now. “Russ is our starter, and we will continue to develop Jaxson,” he stated after the game. When Wilson was introduced in March and at the start of training camp, team officials also emphasized that the 2013 Super Bowl winner would be the starting quarterback.

So far, the veteran’s performances have given no reason to believe that he will not perform well as a starter. But in the best football league in the world, things can change quickly, as we all know.

A few mistakes too many, an injury – it’s not uncommon for a former starting quarterback to find himself on the bench or in the stands.

The next few months will show whether veteran Wilson can pose a threat. But one thing is already clear: the rookie is putting in convincing performances and Wilson only has a one-year contract. So maybe the first-round pick will get his chance sooner than expected to prove that he can lead the Big Apple franchise into the future.