Eric Hartline-Imagn Images; Yannick Peterhans / USA TODAY NETWORK

Jaxson Dart’s Personal Message on Eagles QB Jalen Hurts

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Parker Johnson | Last updated Oct 8, 2025 9:59 PM ET

Week 6 of "Thursday Night Football" is highlighted by an intriguing matchup of NFL quarterbacks between New York Giants rookie Jaxson Dart and Philadelphia Eagles star Jalen Hurts.

For Dart, the NFC East showdown is just his third career start. A first-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft out of Ole Miss, the Utah native won his first professional start against the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 4 before taking the loss against the New Orleans Saints in Week 5. He has thrown for 313 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions.

The matchup with Hurts carries personal importance for Dart, who looked up to the Eagles' QB early in his football career.

"I love his mentality," Dart told reporters before the game. "His every day accountability of himself and at the same time raising the bar for his teammates. That was something as an early college player, being able to look up to guys like that."

New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart (6) celebrates after the game against the Los Angeles Chargers.Brad Penner-Imagn Images

Dart started his college career at USC, where his 2-4 record as a freshman in 2021 reflected Hurts' 2020 NFL season, when he went 1-3 as the Eagles' starter in his rookie year.

During the 2025 NFL Draft process, Dart highlighted Hurts' leadership and intangibles as a model he wants to replicate in the pros.

Hurts' football journey — which included a transfer in college like Dart — reached a new peak in February when Philadelphia won Super Bowl LIX and Hurts was named Super Bowl MVP for his 293-yard, three-touchdown performance.

"It's going to be really cool to be on the same field with him and being able to compete against him," Dart said.

"It's going to be really cool to be on the same field with him and being able to compete against team."

Jaxson Dart talks about what he admires in Jalen Hurts' game: pic.twitter.com/IxRxzd3J77
— Giants Videos (@SNYGiants) October 7, 2025

Dart also recognized similarities in their play styles, citing their shared competitive nature and dual threat ability outside the pocket.

This season, Hurts has led the Eagles to a 4-1 record heading into the divisional game against the 1-4 Giants. He has thrown for 889 yards, seven touchdowns and zero interceptions. In the run game, he has added 182 yards and four TDs.

Dart has a long way to go to match Hurt's NFL success, but regardless if the Giants get the win on Thursday or not, it will be a matchup to remember for New York's new gunslinger on a personal level.

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

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