The kid has arrived, and he’s making believers out of everyone in East Rutherford.
When the New York Giants released their first unofficial depth chart Tuesday, one name stood out like a neon sign in Times Square: Jaxson Dart, listed as the No. 2 quarterback behind Russell Wilson. Not Jameis Winston, the nine-year veteran who’s thrown for over 20,000 career yards. Not the guy who once led the league in passing yards. The 22-year-old rookie, who just months ago was slinging passes at Ole Miss.
This isn’t some participation trophy situation, either. This is Brian Daboll and the Giants brass putting their money where their mouth is, showing they believe Dart has what it takes to step in if Wilson goes down during Sunday’s season opener against the Commanders.
The Making of a Backup
Let’s be real here, nobody saw this coming back in April when the Giants traded back into the first round to snag Dart with the 25th overall pick. The plan was simple: let the kid sit, learn, and maybe contribute down the road.
This is the classic NFL development strategy for a young quarterback normally. But Dart had other plans.
From day one of training camp, this kid showed up with something different. While Wilson worked with the first-team offense and Winston ran scout team drills, Dart was grinding with the second unit, making throws that had coaches doing double-takes. Every rep mattered to him, every drill was a chance to prove something.
The preseason told the real story. When the lights came on and the games counted for something, Dart consistently outperformed Winston. Not by a little but by a lot. His arm strength, pocket presence, and decision-making had the look of a player who belonged, not just a rookie trying to figure things out.
Daboll’s Daily Tests
Here’s where it gets interesting. Daboll wasn’t just letting Dart cruise through camp on autopilot. The coach was deliberately putting the rookie in uncomfortable situations, testing his football IQ and composure under pressure.
Picture this: It’s a Tuesday practice in August, 90-degree heat beating down on the practice fields. Daboll suddenly pulls Dart aside and throws him into a red-zone drill with the first-team offense: no warning, no prep time. Just pure football instincts.
Time after time, Dart delivered. When Daboll called audibles, Dart adjusted. When the defense brought exotic blitzes, Dart found the hot route. When the pocket collapsed, Dart made something out of nothing.
“He never backed down,” one source close to the team said. “Every challenge Brian threw at him, the kid rose to meet it.”
What This Means for Jaxson Dart and the Giants
This decision sends shockwaves through the organization in the best possible way. The Giants didn’t just draft a project: they found a player who could contribute immediately if called upon.
Think about what this means for Wilson, too. Having a capable backup takes pressure off the veteran quarterback. He doesn’t have to play through injuries or take unnecessary risks knowing there’s a reliable option behind him.
For Winston, it’s got to sting. Here’s a guy who started 70 games in the NFL, who threw for 5,109 yards and 33 touchdowns in 2019, now watching a rookie leapfrog him on the depth chart. But that’s the business: production talks, and Dart’s production spoke volumes throughout camp.
The Bigger Picture
The Giants’ depth chart reveals other interesting storylines brewing. Greg Van Roten holding off Evan Neal for the starting right guard spot shows just how far Neal has fallen from his former first-round pedigree. The cornerback battle between Cor’Dale Flott and Deonte Banks remains unsettled, creating uncertainty in the secondary.
But nothing captures the attention quite like Dart’s ascension. In a league where rookie quarterbacks typically redshirt their first season, watching a 22-year-old earn real responsibility feels refreshing.
Looking Ahead
Sunday’s opener against Washington will be Dart’s first taste of regular-season NFL action from the sidelines, but don’t expect him to just stand there holding a clipboard. This is a player who’s earned his spot through preparation and performance, not politics or draft position.
The confidence is real because Dart made it real. The spring and summer weren’t just about going through the motions; they were about proving he belonged. Those preseason games weren’t meaningless exhibitions: they were auditions for a role he’s now claimed.
In a sport where veteran experience usually trumps youthful potential, Jaxson Dart flipped the script. He didn’t just compete with Jameis Winston. He beat him straight up.
Now the real work begins.
