In one of the most shocking moments of the 2025 NFL Draft, the New York Giants traded back into the first round from an early second-round selection to pick Jaxson Dart as their potential quarterback of the future. After signing both Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston in the offseason, it seemed like the organization had a shorter leash in mind for the time being.
However, the addition of Dart alongside the veteran duo has given them a best-case scenario where they can be competitive in both timelines. But that is a pipedream that depends on a multitude of factors. Most importantly, it depends on the trajectory Dart takes on the sidelines. As the team prepares to kick off its preseason against the Buffalo Bills, will the rookie quarterback get his first taste as a New York Giant?
Will Jaxson Dart Suit Up Against the Buffalo Bills?
Dart entered the league after a four-year collegiate career. After spending his freshman season at USC, the youngster transferred to Ole Miss and was immediately named the starting quarterback for the Rebels.
Steadily improving year after year, he put in a spectacular senior year, as he tallied 4,279 yards and 29 touchdowns on an absurd 10.8 yards per attempt. His three-year total of 10,617 passing yards became the most in Ole Miss program history, surpassing the record held by his future franchise icon and two-time Super Bowl champion, Eli Manning.
Still a work in progress for Daboll, he’ll start the season behind Wilson, as mounting pressure from ownership to contend pushed the team to name Wilson QB1, at least for now.
But his draft positioning and the word out of training camp gives optimism to the chances of Dart ascending to the starter role in due time. For now, however, his focus needs to be on Week 1 of the preseason against the Bills.
Art Stapleton of North Jersey confirmed that Wilson was going to start against Buffalo, writing, “The New York Giants will start the same quarterback to open their preseason that they expect to be QB1 one month from now when they begin the regular season against Jayden Daniels and the Washington Commanders.”
However, he also made it clear that the former Super Bowl champion wouldn’t be playing the entire game. Instead, the rookie would be handling a majority of the quarterbacking duties in his preseason debut.
Jaxson Dart going into his first preseason game:
“I’m not scared. When I go out there, I’m going to play the game I know how to play… I think if you’re going to play scared as a quarterback, you shouldn’t be out there.” #Giants #Bills pic.twitter.com/y32grCXZZD
– Jordan Raanan (@JordanRaanan) August 7, 2025
His mentality going into the game is the stuff coaches dream about. Speaking to the media, he was direct in his appraisal. “I’m not scared. When I go out there, I’m going to play the game I know how to play. I think if you’re going to play scared as a quarterback, you shouldn’t be out there.”
While his performance will not change the plan for the 2025 season, at least not initially, it can give the Giants fan base and the front office a clearer idea of what to expect from Dart as a starter.
It could also allow Daboll to create a timeline for when the youngster is ready to take over as the lead signal-caller.
