Jaxson Dart’s New York Giants Debut: What To Expect & What To Hope For

Dart has a great arm, but his athleticism is what makes him a real threat. The 6’2”, 223-pound QB is mobile and can extend plays with his legs in a way few others can. 

The Giants have started veteran QB Russell Wilson for the first three weeks of the season. His lack of movement has limited the offense’s potential. He can’t run the way he used to, and he struggles to throw to the middle of the field. Dart doesn’t have those struggles.

In the 2025 NFL Draft evaluation, Dart received a PFF grade of 94.4 for intermediate passing. He completed 23.5% of passes between 10-19 yards, more than any other passer in the Power Four. It shouldn’t be all check-downs and moon-balls with the Ole Miss product.

Negative Expectations

Dart is going up against a 3-0 Chargers team with an exceptional defense. They’ve allowed 182 pass yards per game (ninth in the NFL), 94.7 rush yards (eighth), and 16.7 points per game (third).

LA’s defense is smothering, and Dart has a tall task for his debut. He is going to make mistakes, maybe even some big ones. The Giants’ 2025 season was never going to be a strong one, but it’s about seeing what the future holds.

The Bolts’ defensive coordinator Jesse Minter has made a name for himself in LA. He’s become one of the best DCs in the NFL, and will take advantage of facing a rookie QB. Don’t expect Dart to light up the scoreboard, but instead look for him to show some spark in the face of adversity.

The Offensive Struggles

The Giants’ offensive line has been a massive weak point for the team. Through three games, Wilson has been pressured 63 times and sacked seven times. The protection hasn’t been there, and Dart’s mobility will have to compensate for that.

New York’s run game has struggled to find a rhythm. Tyrone Tracy Jr. is out for multiple weeks with a dislocated shoulder, pushing rookie Cam Skattebo into the starting role. Veteran back Devin Singletary will see an increased role as well.

Dart and Skattebo established chemistry early on and could become a dangerous duo. New York’s star wide receiver Malik Nabers hasn’t been utilized properly in the offense, and will likely see an increase in targets with Dart.

What Fans Should Hope To See

The biggest things to look for in Dart’s game is that he can make smart moves with the ball and bring some life to the offense. The Giants rank 31st in the NFL in red zone offense this year. They’ve converted two out of 10 red zone trips into touchdowns.

The Giants’ playcalling with Wilson seems like they’ve tailored an offense to Dart’s talents. They want to run RPOs and QB runs. They want to take advantage of Dart’s running ability, and Russ can’t do that.

If Dart can replicate his playstyle from the preseason and give the offense some energy, then mission accomplished. He went 32/47 passing for 372 yards and three touchdowns, while rushing six times for 52 yards and another score. Those numbers shouldn’t be expected, but the energy should be. 

Dart’s presence opens everything up. Cam Skattebo has had two of his longest rushes this season with Dart on the field. The offensive line has Andrew Thomas back, and he becomes a linchpin for them. In the rookies’ limited snaps this season, the offense just seems to run smoothly.

End Of My Jaxson Dart Rant

It’s important to remember, despite this being Week Four, this is Week One for Dart. The rookie is coming out against a dominant Chargers team, and it doesn’t get any easier this year.

The Giants face the New Orleans Saints after this, but then go through a gauntlet against the Philadelphia Eagles (twice), Denver Broncos, and San Francisco 49ers. They follow that up with three NFC North teams.

Dart is being put in an impossible situation. He’s being expected to save a franchise, its head coach, and its general manager. The immense pressure might cause him to struggle early on.

This entire season is about Dart’s development. Fans need to stay patient and let the year play out. If he plays like prime Patrick Mahomes, then that’s terrific. If he doesn’t, let’s give it some time before hitting the panic button.