Why Francis Mauigoa Compared Jaxson Dart to his Mother

Jaxson Dart is a tough guy on the field, but Francis Mauigoa likes to think of him like he does his mother.

The New York Giants first-round pick admitted he thinks of his team's quarterback in the same vein as his mother, as a person he wants to protect.

Mauigoa, the No. 10 overall pick of the 2026 NFL Draft, was the second offensive lineman selected in April behind Spencer Fano of the Cleveland Browns. But Mauigoa expects to be the Giants' starting right guard.

Francis Mauigoa Treats His QB Like His Mom

The saying goes that you should treat others the way you'd treat those closest to you, and Mauigoa takes that literally.

"When I play, I like to think of my quarterback as my mom, and it can really get the juice up," Mauigoa told SNY at the Dodgers vs. Mets baseball game at Citi Field over the weekend. "Somebody that I really want to protect. ... That's the mindset that every O-lineman [has to] have is to protect [the quarterback's] life because it truly is."

Mauigoa has experience blocking for NFL QBs. He protected Tennessee Titans QB Cam Ward during his second season at the University of Miami then was responsible for keeping current Arizona Cardinals rookie Carson Beck upright last season.

But Mauigoa has developed a kinship with Dart already.

"He's awesome," Mauigoa said. "He's a great person, a great person, not only on the field but off the field as well. He's always in the locker room making jokes with everybody, and he's very welcoming."

Francis Mauigoa is Focused on Winning

The Giants have one playoff win over the past 14 years. Mauigoa was 6 years old when they won Super Bowl XLVI, and was 2 years old when they upset the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLII.

But Mauigoa has the mindset to change that.

"Before we win the games, we win in the offseason or in training camp, and that's what I look forward to the most: that competition, how hard we work," Mauigoa said. "You know, we really want it."

The Giants are a dark-horse playoff team to some, especially with a full season of Dart playing with top wideout Malik Nabers and rookie Malachi Fields. The Giants defense should be much improved in Dennard Wilson's first year.

So Mauigoa feels all that's left to do is execute.

"The locker room is very excellent," Mauigoa said. "All we have to do now is just to act it out."