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'Efficient. Effective. Aggressive': New York Giants QB Jaxson Dart impresses in NFL preseason debut

11by: Jake Thompson08/09/25JakeThompsonOn3
NFL: New York Giants at Buffalo Bills
Aug 9, 2025; Orchard Park, New York, USA; New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart (6) throws the ball during the first half at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images

Jaxson Dart opened up his NFL career on Saturday with his preseason debut as the New York Giants took on the Buffalo Bills in Orchard Park, New York.

The first of three preseason opportunities saw the Giants head back to lower New York state with a victory and a lot of excitement about its first round draft pick of a quarterback.

Giants head coach Brian Daboll was coy in how he was going to use all four of his quarterbacks in the preseason opener but Dart would see action. Turns out each quarterback saw one quarter of action, with presumed starter and NFL veteran Russel Wilson getting a little less than a full 15 minutes.

Dart played a good portion of the back half of the opening quarter and led the Giants offense the rest of the first half. His performance was enough to get the internet and Giants fans plenty excited of what Dart’s ceiling could be in 2025.

The former Ole Miss quarterback finished his first NFL game completing 12 of 19 pass attempts for 154 yards and a touchdown. Dart’s first professional touchdown pass was a 29-yard strike to wide receiver Lil’Jordan Humphrey down the left sideline. He also led the Giants with 3 carries for 24 rushing yards.

Dart led three drives that resulted in scores, the other two being converted field goal attempts.

“About what I thought he would do. Efficient. Effective. Aggressive. Confident in the pocket,” Daboll said of Dart’s performance in Saturday’s 34-25 win.

“He’s a confident young player. He’s improved since he’s been here. Still got a long ways to go, but I enjoy working with him. I like his demeanor on the sideline. He sees the game well.”

Dart looked comfortable in his second drive, which resulted in the touchdown pass. His favorite target was receiver Montrell Washington who had three catches for 60 yards, a bulk of those coming from screen passes.

Ole Miss fans who took in the game probably saw something very familiar when Dart opted to take off running down the middle of the field for a 19-yard gain, and choosing to not slide.

“He did that for a long time (at Ole Miss),” Daboll said. “He’s tough. Good moxie. He’s got toughness. He’s got leadership.”

Despite being third on the Giants quarterback depth chart Dart entered the game second followed by another NFL veteran in Jameis Winston who took over in the third quarter. Tommy DeVito then finished up the game, playing in the fourth quarter.

Dart’s next opportunity on the field will come next Saturday back home inside Met Life Stadium when the Giants host the New York Jets for the second game of the preseason at 6 p.m. CT on NFL Network.

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