Jaxson Dart becomes first rookie quarterback to defeat 3-0 team in starting debut since 1979

The New York Giants went to Jaxson Dart looking for a spark Sunday against the Los Angeles Chargers, and that he provided. Stepping in after an 0-3 start for the Giants, Dart led the team to their first win of the season in a 21-18 triumph of the undefeated Chargers.

According to NFL research, that makes Dart the first rookie QB since Phil Sims in 1979 to beat a team that was 3-0 or better while making his starting debut. Sims beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who were 5-0 at the time.

Dart finished the game 13-of-20 passing for 111 yards and a touchdowns with no interceptions. He also rushed 10 times for 54 yards and a touchdown.

The rookie’s first drive ended in a touchdown that he rans in from 15 yards out. He also completed his only two pass attempts to set the tone early, showing extreme poise considering it was his first real reps in the NFL.

New York held a 21-10 lead in the third quarter before Los Angeles answered with a touchdown and converted the two-point attempt to make it 21-18 heading into the fourth. The Giants defense would hold the rest of the way, securing the victory for Dart.

Dart was selected 25th overall by the Giants in the 2025 NFL Draft out of Ole Miss. He was one of only two quarterbacks taken in the first round along with first overall pick Cam Ward.

Although Dart began the season as the backup to veteran Russell Wilson, the team has handed the keys for the remainder of the season according to coach Brian Daboll. We’ll see whether he can carry this performance over into next week when the Giants face the New Orleans Saints.

Lane Kiffin shares advice he gave Jaxson Dart ahead of first NFL start with Giants

Prior to his starting NFL debut on Sunday, Jaxson Dart got some advice from former Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin. Kiffin joined ESPN‘s Sunday NFL Countdown earlier this morning to discuss his pupil’s first-career NFL start.

During his segment on ESPN, Kiffin revealed the advice he gave Dart earlier this week in preparation for his opportunity. The coach advised his former QB to stay calm, and it seems he listened based on the results.

“Just to take it easy, relax. This guy’s played a lot of football (in college) for a rookie, played in a lot of big games. So, really just take it one snap at a time and don’t try to do too much,” Kiffin said Sunday morning before taking a little dig at his former QB. “(But) I’m watching him warmup right there and he looks like he’s trying to throw the ball through the wall already. So I don’t know if he even listened to me.”

On3’s Alex Byington contributed to this report.