Giants coach Brian Daboll on Monday kicked off Week 1 of his hot-seat fourth season by refusing to name a backup quarterback.
Ultimately, it doesn't matter whether first-round rookie Jaxson Dart or fading veteran Jameis Winston occupies the spot beneath Russell Wilson (also a fading veteran) entering Sunday's game at Washington.
Because a non-binding depth chart means zero for the biggest question of this Giants season: When will (and should) Dart start?
The simple answer is this: When he is ready -- and when Daboll feels comfortable with him playing behind what could again be a shaky offensive line. (Or maybe the Giants will actually block for a change.)
If Wilson gets hurt early in the season, and Dart isn't ready at that point, it would be foolish to press the kid into action. After all, that exact scenario is why the Giants signed (and then didn't trade) Winston. He is a safety net for them -- and for Dart, presuming the rookie isn't ready.
But let's assume Wilson stays healthy. What then? Well, the Giants face a brutal schedule to open the season: Commanders, Cowboys, Chiefs and Chargers. Then they play the Saints, who stink. But after that, they have to take on the Eagles, Broncos and Eagles again. Yikes.
Seven of the Giants' first eight games are tough. And four of those seven are on the road. They get the Chiefs, Chargers and Eagles at home.
While the Giants should be able to beat the Saints, that game is in New Orleans, which can be a tough place to play.
If Wilson and the Giants sputter early, even while Wilson stays healthy, it's entirely possible Daboll could stumble into November -- coming out of what might be a Week 8 bloodbath in Philadelphia -- ready to lean on Dart.
It would make sense from a couple angles.
Daboll would be desperate to save his job, and Dart showing progress down the stretch would be his last hope to do that.
Plus, considering how sharp Dart looked this summer -- during training camp practices and preseason games -- it's entirely possible he would be ready to start in Week 9. That's a Nov. 2 home game against the 49ers.
By then, the Giants figure to have a decent read on whether their offensive line will be competent -- and capable of protecting a prized rookie quarterback who might not always be able to spot blitzes.
The nightmare scenario for the Giants would be starting Dart before he's ready -- behind yet another bad line -- and getting him seriously hurt. There is absolutely no reason to force Dart out there too soon, especially if Wilson gets hurt early on. That would do more harm than good.
Daboll just needs to let it happen organically, with Dart starting in place of a healthy Wilson (or a healthy Winston, if Wilson gets hurt) when the kid (and his offensive line) are able to handle everything well enough.