New York Giants rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart has several issues still ahead of him as the team begins Phase 3 of the offseason workout program.
First, he has to sign his rookie deal, something he and two other members of this year’s draft class (defensive lineman Darius Alexander and running back Cam Skattebo) have yet to do.
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Then there is the issue of what uniform number Dart will wear this season. He has been sporting No. 6 this spring at the facility but it is not his top choice. He wore No. 2 at Ole Miss and he would ideally like to wear that here with Big Blue, but it currently belongs to another former first-round pick, cornerback Deonte Banks.
Dart was asked if he had offered Banks a deal for the number and said that he did, but the price was too high.
“Yeah, it’s too much,” Dart laughingly told Cllct Media. “Too much.”
Banks recently switched from No. 3 to No. 2 when free agent quarterback Russell Wilson arrived in March. He doesn’t have an affinity for the new number. Banks switched from No. 25 to No. 3 last year. No. 3 was Banks’ number in college at Maryland.
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What number Dart will land on is still unknown. The top three single-digit numbers are all in use (No. 1 – Malik Nabers followed by Banks and Wilson). No. 4 (Tuffy Leemans), and No. 7 (Mel Hein) are retired.
Kayvon Thibodeaux is wearing No. 5. Jevon Holland claimes No. 8 and veteran kicker Grahm Gano has No. 9.
It won’t be Nos. 10 or 11, either, as they are retired for Eli Manning and Phil Simms. So, the drama continues. Dart’s best bet is to stay with No. 6 until further notice.
This article originally appeared on Giants Wire: Giants rookie refused to pay hefty price for preferred jersey number