Giants' Jaxson Dart Praised by NFL Insider, Says QB 'Can Handle the Moment'

It's safe to assume Jaxson Dart will ascend to the New York Giants starting quarterback job sooner or later. According to The Athletic's Dianna Russini, it might be the former.

Russini cited a team source who said Dart "can handle the moment," and the NFL insider reported he has meshed well with head coach Brian Daboll.

"His early poise hasn't surprised the team, but it has impressed them," Russini said. "His personality is said to be a perfect match for Daboll, and he's soaked up all of the guidance and coaching he can, both from the staff and the team's veteran QBs."

The 2025 first-round pick looked good in the preseason. He went 32-of-47 for 372 yards and three touchdowns.

Of course, preseason stats aren't all that predictive. Lest we forget Kenny Pickett's nearly perfect record across the Pittsburgh Steelers' three exhibitions in 2023.

But one of the bigger concerns surrounding Dart was how quickly he'd adjust to an NFL offense. The scheme he ran with Lane Kiffin at Ole Mis was far different than what he'd see when he got to the pros.

"Dart is accustomed to favorable schemed/open routes that he struggles to quickly get through his reads and find the next open target if the initial read is covered," Bleacher Report NFL scout Dame Parson wrote in his pre-draft scouting report.
"Dart does not anticipate throwing lanes well at this stage of his career. He is a see-it, throw-it style passer."

Having named Russell Wilson as the Week 1 starter, Daboll isn't in a rush to promote Dart, and he'll be even less inclined to make a QB change if the Giants get off to a good start.

Daboll has one of the hottest coaching seats in the NFL, though. Should New York be as bad as everyone expects, Dart's development is something Daboll can cite to justify why he should return in 2026. That gives him an incentive to be a little more aggressive in deciding when to bench Wilson.