After years of inconsistent play at the quarterback position, the New York Giants have finally found their next franchise player and his name is Jaxson Dart. The team has been searching for an answer at quarterback ever since Eli Manning retired following the 2019 season, so you can understand why there’s so much excitement surrounding the Giants right now.
Whether you’re a die-hard Giants fan or just an NFL bettor riding New York’s recent turnaround, you can feel the buzz building around a team that’s finally found their next leader. Things are looking up for Big Blue and Jaxson Dart is the main reason for that optimism.
Dart’s Path to the NFL
As a standout high school football player growing up in Utah, Dart was named Gatorade Player of the Year and MaxPreps National Player of the Year during his senior season. His athleticism has always been one of his greatest assets and he excelled in a number of sports growing up. In addition to football, he also played high school baseball, becoming a two-time all-state third baseman.
Despite several scholarship offers, Dart committed to USC to play college football. He started three games for the Trojans in his freshman season. While the results could have been better, it was clear that the kid from Kaysville, Utah had something special.
Following the season, USC hired Lincoln Riley to be their new head coach. With Oklahoma quarterback Caleb Williams expected to follow, Dart entered the transfer portal and ended up at Ole Miss under head coach Lane Kiffin. He would go on to start all but one game for the Rebels over the next three seasons, compiling a 28-10 record over that stretch.
In his senior season, Dart completed 69.3% of his passes for 4,279 yards and 29 touchdowns with just 6 interceptions. He finished his collegiate career as Ole Miss’s all-time leader in passing yards, surpassing the previous mark set by Eli Manning.
A Giant Leap Forward
He may not have been the top quarterback on the draft board, but Dart’s performance in college set him up well for the 2025 NFL Draft. There were some questions regarding his arm strength and mechanics, but scouts loved his toughness and physical style of play. The Giants selected Dart with the 25th overall pick, and while fans may not have realized it in the moment, this marked the beginning of a new era for the G-men.
The team had recently signed veterans Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston, so even after a solid showing in the preseason, most people expected Dart to ride the bench during his rookie year. Yet things can change quickly in the NFL, and by Week 4, he was named the team’s starting quarterback. He’s the 10th different player to start under centre for the Giants since 2019, but this time feels different.
Dart wasted no time making a name for himself, pulling off a shocking upset in his NFL debut. New York was winless heading into their Week 4 matchup versus a 3-0 Chargers squad, but that all changed in a hurry. The rookie quarterback led the Giants down the field on a 9-play, 89-yard scoring drive on their opening possession.
Dart led New York to a major upset over the Chargers and helped New York pick up its first win of the season. Even the loss of star receiver Malik Nabers to a season-ending injury couldn’t bring down the excitement surrounding the team’s new quarterback.
The Giants stumbled the following week against the Saints, but even in the loss, Dart’s talent and potential were on full display. His first big test came in Week 6 and the rookie did not disappoint. Taking on the Eagles in a primetime matchup, Dart showed out in a big way.
He led the G-men to an opening drive touchdown for the third straight game, using both his arm and his legs to keep the defending Super Bowl champs on their heels. Philadelphia had no answer for the Giants’ offence under Dart, leading to a 34-17 win for New York. Dart finished the game 17 of 25 for 195 yards and a touchdown, plus another 58 yards and a score on the ground. The game confirmed what everyone in New York had hoped was the case: Dart is the real deal.
A New Era for Big Blue
The Giants are still just 2-4 on the season, yet things already feel different in New York. It’s not just Dart’s level of play on the field; the 22-year-old brings an undeniable swagger to a franchise that was in desperate need of a new identity. His chemistry with teammates has been on full display and, for the first time in a long time, things are starting to look up for the Giants.
The only people happier than Giants fans about Dart’s performance have been football bettors. Having already pulled off two of the year’s biggest upsets over his first three starts, there’s no telling what this team is capable of with Dart under centre. It’s only a matter of time before the oddsmakers make an adjustment, but until then it’s a great opportunity to cash in on the rise of New York’s next great quarterback. The Jaxson Dart era in New York has officially begun.