Giants HC Brian Daboll has 'confidence' in his rookie QB

After starting the season 0-3 after Russell Wilson failed to be the answer at quarterback, the New York Giants turned to 2025 first-round draft pick Jaxson Dart as their starter in Week 4. They won their first game of the season against the Los Angeles Chargers, 21-18, but then lost to the New Orleans Saints, 26-14, in Week 5.

The 1-4 Giants entered Week 6 desperate for a win. Dart then led New York to a 34-17 victory against the reigning Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles on “Thursday Night Football." Head coach Brian Daboll praised Dart for his effort. 

Giants HC Brian Daboll has 'confidence' in Jaxson Dart

After stunning the Eagles, Dart proved he is the Giants’ starting quarterback of the future. Daboll said after the game that he has “confidence” in his rookie quarterback. Even though he’s not “perfect,” Daboll said he loves how he “leads by his play.” 

“I like everything about Dart since we got him,” Daboll said, via Mark Cannizzaro of the New York Post. “He’s not perfect. It’s not going to be perfect. But he leads by his play, he leads by his words, he leads by his emotion, he leads by his loose plays. I have a tremendous amount of confidence in Jaxson Dart.”

Dart did his job by putting the Giants in a position to win, throwing for 195 yards and rushing for 58 yards with two touchdowns. The defense also did its job, sacking Eagles QB Jalen Hurts three times, two by linebacker Brian Burns. 

Jaxson Dart's performance has saved Brian Daboll's job

Daboll has long been on the hot seat in New York. He had one winning season with the Giants in 2022, going 9-7 before losing in the divisional round to the Eagles. Daboll is 11-29 in the three seasons since.

That is all in the rearview mirror after Thursday's win and Dart’s breakout performance. The Giants ended their eight-game losing streak against divisional opponents, tied for the longest streak in their franchise history (along with the 1975-76 season, according to Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio). 

Set to play one of the better teams in the AFC and the best defenses in the league, the Denver Broncos, the Giants must have a strong game plan to exploit their pass rush. Dart showed his ability to lead Big Blue to a win over a superior team after finding other receivers to make plays, even with Malik Nabers out. 

Utilizing his skill set of being a good pocket presence and knowledge of when to throw and run himself, New York has a chance to secure another surprising win in Week 7.