Giants’ Season Kicks Off with Quarterback Uncertainty

The first sign that the Giants’ season is underway appeared on Monday, with coach Brian Daboll adopting a secretive demeanor reminiscent of a CIA operative.

Daboll didn’t confirm who secured the starting right guard position—Greg Van Roten appeared to have the upper hand over Evan Neil—or the status of cornerbacks Cor’dale Flott and Deonte Banks, who struggled to be healthy simultaneously during training camp.

However, the main focus seems to be whether Jaxson Dart or Jameis Winston will step in as the second quarterback during the upcoming game against the Commanders. Daboll kept that plan close to his chest, opting not to disclose how the quarterback reps would be divided during a Monday media walkthrough.

“We have a solid idea of how we’ll play,” Daboll mentioned. “Everything will unfold come Sunday.”

Traditionally, Daboll includes the second quarterback as part of the offensive scout team, while the third-string quarterback remains sidelined during regular-season practices. This situation leaves Tommy DeVito in a tricky spot, as he faced similar challenges over the last couple of seasons.

Interestingly, it seems Daboll might be looking to develop rookie Dart, possibly putting him in a position as the backup to Winston instead of simply sticking to the unofficial depth chart list where Winston is ahead.

“As the week progresses, the backup quarterback will take plenty of reps with the scout team, and then we’ll decide on how to handle some of the practical sessions,” Daboll explained. “We’ve tried various approaches, and we adapt each week based on what we believe is best.”

The NFL’s regulations permit teams like the Giants to maintain three quarterbacks on a 53-man roster but restrict them to counting only two among the 48 active players for game participation. In instances where both starting quarterbacks are injured, the third-stringer can play but cannot be used strategically.