Dart Delivers
- Evan Starr
- Oct 12
- 3 min read
Jaxson Dart’s First NFL Start
On Sunday, Sept. 28, the New York Giants made a major change for any NFL team: switching their starting quarterback (QB). After starting the NFL season 0-3, the Giants decided to turn the reins over to rookie QB Jaxson Dart. This not only marked the start of Dart’s career, but also sparked a change in the Giants organization.
Jaxson Dart was the 25th pick in the 2025 NFL draft by the New York Giants. This pick came as a surprise because the draft pick was not originally owned by the Giants. The pick was traded from the Houston Texans in exchange for the Giants’ 2025 second-round pick, which was used to take wide receiver Jayden Higgins from Iowa State, the Giants’ 2025 third-round pick, which was later traded and their 2026 third-round pick.
Even though the Giants traded up to get Dart, many speculated after the trade that the Giants would not take him. Instead, many thought the Giants would draft QB Shedeur Sanders from Colorado because he was ranked higher than Dart in the pre-draft rankings. However, the Giants ultimately chose Dart from Ole Miss. At Ole Miss, Dart broke multiple records and achieved multiple milestones, such as setting the Ole Miss records for career passing yards and 300+ passing yard games. Along with that, Dart won the 2024 Conerly Trophy and was the 2025 Gator Bowl MVP.
Dart’s debut so early in the season came as a surprise to many. In the offseason, the Giants signed veteran quarterbacks Wilson and Jameis Winston to help mentor Dart for his future. When the Giants decided to pull the trigger in week 4 of the season to start Dart, it was seen as a risky move and one rushed him into a difficult situation. Many fans questioned the decision, especially since the Giants were facing the undefeated Los Angeles Chargers at home.
The Giants head coach Brian Daboll was not bothered by the pressure from the fans and media. “It was my decision,” Daboll said in an interview with USA Today. “We're going with Jaxson. We're gonna get him ready to play this week and the remainder of the season.”
When Sunday finally arrived, Giants’ fans were extremely excited. When Dart ran out of the tunnel during the Giants starting lineup announcement, the crowd went berserk when they heard Dart’s name and Dart did not disappoint. In the Giants first offensive drive of the game, Dart led the Giants down the field and ran into the endzone for a 16-yard rushing touchdown, marking the first career touchdown of Dart’s young career.
Even though the game started off amazing for the Giants, awful news occurred. When superstar receiver Malik Nabers was going for a catch, he landed awkwardly and was carted off the field with a torn ACL. This injury hurt the Giants drastically because Nabers was Dart’s primary target in the Giants offense. After Nabers went down, the Giants did not give up as Dart led the team to three field goals in the second quarter, giving the Giants a 13-10 lead going into halftime. But Dart did not stop there as he found tight end Theo Johnson in the third quarter to get himself his first career passing touchdown. After a two point conversion from rookie running back Cam Skatteboo, the Giants took a 21-10 lead. After a neck and neck game through the end, the Giants were able to grab their first win of the season, defeating the Chargers, winning 21-18 after Dart’s stellar debut. Dart finished the game completing 13 of 20 passes with 111 yards passing and one passing touchdown. He also rushed for 54 yards in the game and had one rushing touchdown in the victory.
Though Dart played amazing against the Chargers, the Giants’ schedule does not get any easier, especially after a close loss to the Saints. The Giants’ next game is on Thursday, Oct. 9, where Dart and the Giants hope to upset their rivals, the 4-1 Philadelphia Eagles, at home.
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