Jaxson Dart may be listed as the Giants’ third-string quarterback, but he’s already acting like a future starter.
At the first rookie minicamp practice, the first-round pick impressed both on and off the field. Dart commanded the offense with confidence, showcased a strong arm, and carried himself like a seasoned pro. He connected on 8 of 10 passes in 7-on-7 drills, made smart decisions under pressure, and displayed calm poise that belied his inexperience.
Even before stepping onto the field, Dart showed leadership. After receiving the play script Thursday night, he organized a walkthrough with his offensive teammates on the bus ride back to the hotel.
“As a quarterback, you’ve got to make sure everyone’s ready,” Dart said. “That’s part of the job. Preparation leads to execution.”
Physically, Dart checks all the boxes—standing 6-foot-2 and weighing 225 pounds, he’s sturdy and composed. Mentally, he’s ahead of the curve, taking pride in his preparation and understanding of the offense. It was only one practice, but it was hard to miss the signs: this rookie is here to compete
Competition Could Heat Up Sooner Than Expected
Head coach Brian Daboll has publicly named Russell Wilson as the starter and Jameis Winston as the backup. But Dart’s early performance could shake things up faster than expected—especially if Wilson struggles early under one of the NFL’s toughest schedules.
Dart, meanwhile, isn’t making noise about his position. He’s letting his work speak for itself. But the Giants didn’t spend a first-round pick to have him sit quietly all year.
“I understand the situation,” Dart said. “But I’m here to win. That’s what I care about.”
The rookie’s approach—serious, steady, and highly motivated—mirrors the culture Daboll wants to instill. The coach was never far from Dart during drills and remains deeply involved in his development.
“He coaches me every chance he gets,” Dart said. “And that’s exactly what I want.”
Dart and Daboll built a natural rapport during the pre-draft process, one grounded in competitiveness and mutual respect. It’s not hard to imagine Daboll turning to his rookie if the moment calls for it—especially with pressure mounting on him and GM Joe Schoen to get the offense back on track.
For now, Dart is the No. 3 quarterback in name only. If he continues on this path, it’s only a matter of time before that changes.
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