Jaxson Dart has been a difference maker since replacing Russell Wilson as the New York Giants' starting quarterback, with the franchise's decision to trade back into the first round paying off
09:26 ET, 13 Oct 2025
Tyler Nubin #27 and Jaxson Dart #6 of the New York Giants hug after the game against the Philadelphia Eagles at MetLife Stadium on October 9, 2025
View 3 Images
Tyler Nubin #27 and Jaxson Dart #6 of the New York Giants hug after the game against the Philadelphia Eagles(Image: Getty)
New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart was attracting interest from three other teams before the NFL franchise traded back into the first round to pick up the Ole Miss prospect in April.
The 22-year-old was regularly regarded as a top-three quarterback in the 2025 class behind Colorado's Shedeur Sanders and eventual No. 1 pick Cam Ward. Several NFL teams were looking at quarterbacks heading into NFL Draft weekend, and Dart was attracting interest from several teams, but the Giants acted decisively to prevent their target from being snatched later in the first or second round.
Article continues below
After picking linebacker Abdul Carter at No. 3, the Giants sealed a trade with the Houston Texans to pick up the No. 25 slot. They selected Dart to keep him from the clutches of the New Orleans Saints, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Cleveland Browns, all of whom had a need at quarterback, according to The Athletic.
Article continues below
READ MORE: Garrett Wilson explodes at New York Jets coach on sideline during latest lossREAD MORE: Caitlin Clark joins Taylor Swift at Chiefs game after getting Kelce family approval
Giants head coach Brian Daboll routinely enjoyed picking Dart as he revamped the franchise's quarterback room and surrounded the rookie with veteran presence in Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston. Dart played in the preseason but was named the Giants' backup behind one-time Super Bowl winner Russell.
However, it didn't take Dart long to get on the field. Daboll dropped Wilson following a 0-3 start and named Dart the starter against the Los Angeles Chargers. On his debut, Dart racked up 111 passing yards for one touchdown, 54 rushing yards, and a touchdown of his own as the Giants beat the Chargers 21-18.
His second game wasn't as euphoric. The Giants were beaten 26-14 by the Saints after blowing an 11-point lead as Dart threw for 202 yards and two touchdowns, but he recorded two interceptions. In Game 3 of the Dart era, the Giants were the underdogs against the defending Super Bowl champions, the Philadelphia Eagles.
Jaxson Dart #6 celebrates with Cam Skattebo #44 of the New York Giants after the Giants defeated the Philadelphia Eagles 34-17 to win the game
View 3 Images
Jaxson Dart celebrates with Cam Skattebo(Image: Getty)
However, without several key players, including receiver Malik Nabers, Dart led the Giants to an emphatic 34-17 win in New York. Dart racked up 195 passing yards for one touchdown and zero interceptions. He used his feet well, too, recording 58 rushing yards and another touchdown.
In the backfield, he's sparked up a rookie partnership with Cam Skattebo, who has five touchdowns in 2025, three of which came against the Eagles. "Yeah, I mean, it absolutely is [a statement] because you have to have a lot of respect for that team. They just came off winning the Super Bowl. Top team in the league," Dart said. "Quite honestly, nobody really expected us to put up a performance like this.
"As a locker room, as teammates, we felt confident. We just try to play hard for each other. We're not trying to make statements. We're just trying to play for each other and win games. We want to find an identity. I felt like we did a good job of putting that a little bit together tonight."
Rookie sensations Jaxson Dart #6 and Cam Skattebo #44 of the New York Giants
View 3 Images
Rookie sensations Jaxson Dart and Cam Skattebo(Image: Getty)
"I just think there's, at times, some negativity that's surrounding here," Dart continued. "For us, some of the new guys that are coming here, we just got here, so we don't feel like we were involved in the past.
Article continues below
"We've got a lot of winners on this team, guys who come out every single day, work their ass off to put on a good showing on Sundays. I feel like we're just connected. We just had some games, times and moments, where it hasn't gone our way.
"We do feel like we're a really good team, we have really good players. We're just trying to win games. We're just trying to stay internal and stay connected each and every day."