Darius Slayton remembers when he was a rookie with the Giants back in 2019. That’s when coach Pat Shurmur benched Eli Manning and brought in Daniel Jones as the starter against the Buccaneers. Fast forward six years, and Slayton now finds himself reflecting on a similar situation. Coach Brian Daboll is considering replacing veteran quarterback Russell Wilson with first-round pick Jaxson Dart for an upcoming game against the Chargers.
“I’ve mentioned before that back in 2019, we faced a similar challenge with Eli and DJ,” Slayton recently shared. “DJ’s exit wasn’t smooth, and part of it could be that he was thrown into a tough spot right away. It’s hard to win games when you’re still learning the ropes.”
Interestingly, Jones is now with the Colts, where he has led the team to a strong 3-0 start this season.
Slayton pointed out that not all quarterbacks thrive immediately. He referenced Patrick Mahomes, a two-time MVP and three-time Super Bowl champion, who spent his rookie season observing from the sidelines. “We just faced a guy [Sunday] who didn’t step onto the field at all his rookie year, and he might be the greatest ever,” Slayton noted. “If Mahomes can benefit from waiting, anyone can.”
He also highlighted other successful quarterbacks, like Lamar Jackson, who took time to learn before becoming stars. “I want Jaxson Dart to have that kind of opportunity,” he said. “He has the talent to be a top NFL quarterback.”
As for Dart’s potential move into the starting role, Slayton emphasized patience. “If Dart plays and has a couple of tough games, let’s not rush to judge him. He needs time to adjust and grow,” he said. “Daniel Jones didn’t get that chance, and I hope Dart will.”
This underlines a growing trend in the NFL. A recent survey by Statista found that more NFL teams are opting to sit high draft picks for a season. The year 2022 saw 37% of quarterbacks taken in the first round spend at least some time on the bench. This suggests a shift in coaching philosophy, focusing on patient development rather than immediate results. The Giants, like many teams, could benefit from following this trend.
In the end, Slayton’s insights show the importance of giving young quarterbacks the time they need to develop. The league is evolving, and so is the approach to nurturing talent. As fans and players alike watch the Giants’ next move, the question remains: will Dart be given the chance to grow into the star many hope he can be?
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