Giants’ Jaxson Dart Continues to Win Over Teammates Amid Dominant Preseason
Head coach Brian Daboll reaffirmed his plans for Russell Wilson to open the regular season as the New York Giants‘ starting quarterback, but it is first-round rookie Jaxson Dart who continues to impress his teammates this summer.
Dart has been spectacular through two preseason appearances, though largely playing with the second-team offense against the Buffalo Bills‘ and New York Jets‘ second-team defenses. The No. 25 overall pick has passed for 291 yards and a pair of touchdowns while showing an ability to lead the hurry-up offense with ease and a strong command for the Giants’ offense.
“I ain’t gonna lie: He’s talented. He’s talented as (expletive),” wide receiver Zach Pascal told the New York Daily News. “I’m blessed to be able to be in camp with him, but I’m pretty sure later in his future career, he’s gonna be one of them ones.
“I’ve seen him make throws I haven’t even seen vets make.”
Even before the exhibition slate, Dart made a strong first impression on some of the weapons the Giants are going to be relying on this season simply with how quickly he’s grasping the scheme.
“He’s made some plays and throws [during camp],” Giants wide receiver Darius Slayton told Heavy early in training camp. “But, more so, our system’s a lot. It’s a lot to learn. It’s a lot to operate. It’s a lot to mentally think about before the ball is even snapped, and he’s obviously learning that now.
“It was probably more than he was expecting but the way he’s handle it has been the thing that’s made you think ‘okay, this kid has the chance to be pretty special in this league.’ Some people get overwhelmed and they go into their shell and you have to pull them out, but he’s done a good job of … even though he’s learning, he doesn’t take it too hard, if he does miss something, he always bounces back the next day and is ready to go.”
Only nine of Jaxson’s 35 passing attempts have hit the ground and the former Ole Miss standout has also added 24 rushing yards on his way to a stellar 117.7 passer rating.
It remains a limited sample size, but Dart’s preseason has been among the more impressive by any quarterback across the NFL, and he seems to have lit a spark under a Giants offense in desperate need of one after a dismal showing in 2024.
“Dart has the swag you want to see in a QB that gives confidence to the whole offense,” Pascal said. “When you see him make a throw or get excited and make a run, he has that energy and excitement that trickles throughout the whole offense to make us believe in him.”
