Giants' Jaxson Dart puts 'aura' on display after being named starting QB

Throughout the summer, New York Giants players mentioned that Jaxson Dart has an "aura" that could allow him to find success as a rookie quarterback. 

One day after it was learned that Dart is replacing Russell Wilson as the Giants starter for this Sunday's home game against the 3-0 Los Angeles Chargers, Dart displayed the confidence that has made him a popular figure among his teammates. 

Jaxson Dart not feeling pressure ahead of first start

"I don't really feel pressure," Dart said about being handed the keys to the Giants offense, per Danny Abriano of SNY. "Pressure is given to those who play at a high level, and the best players in the world are the ones that are kind of involved with that word, 'pressure.' So, I don't feel it from that standpoint. My focus is on just trying to win one game at a time."

One wouldn't blame Dart for being a bit anxious, considering the job put in his lap. Along with being asked to inject some positivity into a team that started the season with three consecutive losses, Dart likely has unofficially been tasked with saving the jobs of head coach Brian Daboll and general manager Joe Schoen. 

Earlier on Wednesday, Daboll acknowledged that he doesn't "think any rookie quarterback is ever just ready to play." It sounds like Dart wants to prove his coach wrong this weekend. 

"You just gotta make sure that you're prepared every day, because the questions and situations that are being put on the quarterback -- when you're watching film, you gotta know exactly what you're talking about," Dart said about his mindset. "You gotta be on your [expletive]. Point blank, period. I think for me, I'm just trying to be prepared each and every day." 

How Jaxson Dart feels about "savior" label 

Fair or not, fans and some analysts view Dart as a potential franchise "savior" who could be what Daniel Jones wasn't — a long-term successor to Giants legend Eli Manning. 

"I just try to be the best teammate that I can be," Dart said about such expectations. "I don't want to look at it that way. That word or that phrase doesn't really go in my head. I feel like, as a unit on the field -- especially as an offense -- everybody has to be in sync. There can't just be attention on one guy that's gonna carry the load of everything. It's gotta be collectively as a unit."

As of Thursday morning, ESPN BET had the winless Giants as 6.5-point underdogs against the unbeaten Chargers. That line indicates things could get difficult for Dart at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, but it seems like he won't get too down on himself if he makes an early mistake during the contest.