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Chris Simms Makes Bold Jaxson Dart Prediction

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Scott Salomon | Last updated May 14, 2025 9:09 PM ET

Former Texas Longhorns quarterback Chris Simms is bullish on New York Giants rookie signal-caller Jaxson Dart.

Simms, an NFL analyst, was on the Up & Adams podcast and said Dart could step in and start the first week of the season for Big Blue.

The Giants traded up on the first night of the draft to grab their quarterback of the future. New York also has Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston who would weigh in on the decision to hand the offense over to the rookie in Week 1.

Kay Adams asked Simms when he believed Dart would take over the team. He did not hesitate to answer.

"Gosh, I would not be shocked if it started off right away. I wouldn't be shocked," he said. "I don't expect the Giants to be a super team here, right? I'm not picking the Giants to go to the playoffs. The amount of money they're paying Russell Wilson does not guarantee him the starting quarterback job."

Simms believes if Dart has an outstanding training camp and masters the offseason workout regimen, he would be an equal candidate to start Week 1.

"Those are things I look at to go, if Jaxson Dart is phenomenal through training camp and OTAs and has a really good preseason, and Russell Wilson's just okay and doesn't look all that sharp, I don't think they'll be scared to start Jaxson Dart here."

Giants head coach Brian Daboll came out on draft night and said he wants to "develop" Dart and bring him along slowly. When Eli Manning was drafted, he was not rushed into the huddle Week 1 and sat behind Kurt Warner.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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