New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart hasn’t had a quiet offseason. The second-year signal-caller introduced President Donald Trump at a May 22 political rally in New York, which drew immediate criticism from teammate Abdul Carter, who publicly called him out on social media.
Dart addressed the team in a private meeting and also gave a statement to reporters, framing the appearance as a show of patriotism rooted in his family’s military history. With the controversy still simmering and additional scrutiny of his social media activity adding fuel, Dart headed to San Antonio with his girlfriend, Marissa Ayers, to take in Game 1 of the NBA Finals between the Knicks and the Spurs.
Jaxson Dart Watched the Knicks Rally to Win Game 1 in San Antonio
Dart and Ayers went public with their relationship in January 2026 after months of dating rumors that began when the couple was first spotted together at a Halloween party in October 2025. The couple officially debuted at NFL Honors during Super Bowl week and have been a fixture at high-profile events since, including the Kentucky Derby and, now, the NBA Finals.
Ayers shared a video on her TikTok account showing her and Dart arriving in San Antonio and then cheering on the Knicks from a suite as New York edged past the Spurs in Game 1.
Dart rooting for a New York team projects exactly the kind of connection to the city that a Giants franchise quarterback should cultivate. However, with Trump confirmed to attend Game 3 at Madison Square Garden on June 8, a potential appearance from Dart at the same event would inevitably reignite the political conversation he’s been trying to move past.
Marissa Ayers with Jaxson Dart at Game 1: “How bout those Knicks baby” pic.twitter.com/U8hZA2RRac
— New York Basketball (@NBA_NewYork) June 5, 2026
The attention surrounding Dart’s offseason, from the rally to the social media revelations to the high-profile public appearances with Ayers, has placed enormous scrutiny on a 23-year-old entering his second NFL season.
Dart showed legitimate promise as a rookie, completing 63.7% of his passes for 2,272 yards with 15 touchdowns and five interceptions in 14 games. He also added 487 rushing yards and a franchise-record nine rushing touchdowns.
None of that will matter if the off-field noise carries into the regular season. Head coach John Harbaugh wants to build a winning culture, and Dart’s development is central to that vision. The best thing Dart can do between now and September is let his preparation speak louder than the headlines.
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Hopefully, even if both Dart and Trump attend Game 3 in New York, it won’t spark further negative commentary on social media about the Giants quarterback.
