Quarterback Jaxson Dart spent the offseason hearing that he was going to get drafted behind Shedeur Sanders. Instead, he was in for the surprise of a lifetime when he was selected by the New York Giants not only ahead of Sanders, but in the first round, no less. The turn of events maximized his stock in a way few thought possible.
However, Dart has ties and history with many more players than merely a draft competition with Sanders. Dart also has a history with veterans who have been in the league for years, including a Detroit Lions star.
Jaxson Dart Goes Way Back With Amon-Ra St. Brown
Speaking to Sports Illustrated, Dart revealed he had known Lions star wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown since before he joined the college ranks.
Giants first-round pick Jaxson Dart discussed Eli Manning, Tom Brady, Brian Daboll and the New York media with @GManzano24 https://t.co/gaRy8X42uX
— Sports Illustrated (@SInow)
“I’ve known Amon-Ra since I was in high school before I committed to [USC],” Dart said. “We’ve also worked out with each other in the offseason. It’s always a good time to catch up with [him].”
St. Brown joined the Lions in 2021, the same year Dart played his first snap for the USC Trojans. As St. Brown worked his way through the NFL ranks, Dart did the same in college, almost in symmetry. However, unlike Brown, Dart transferred to the Ole Miss Rebels after one season.
Fast forward to 2025, and Dart appears to have jumped at the chance to learn from his elder by working with him in the offseason.
Giants-Lions Schedule Offers Unique Opportunity for Dart and St. Brown
Of course, with a long history of knowing one another, the natural next question is when the two will meet on the gridiron.
Luckily for both St. Brown and Dart, the two already have a date set on the calendar by the NFL schedule makers. The Giants and Lions are scheduled to play against one another on Sunday, Nov. 23, at 1:00 p.m. EST.
#Giants QB Jaxson Dart has been looking AMAZING during mini camp. Will he or Russel Wilson be the starter come Week 1?
Dart in 2024:
4,279 Pass yds
29 TD
6 INT#NFL
pic.twitter.com/2XtmePa4SN— 272.Football (@272fantasy)
The matchup will offer the two a chance to catch up in the latter third of the season under potentially dramatic circumstances. The Lions could be hoping to work toward setting the stage to clinch an early playoff spot around that time. Meanwhile, the Giants could be at the point of their season where they give Dart the QB1 role.
Many believe Russell Wilson will start the season under center, but many first-round rookie quarterbacks have usually taken over by late November. As such, if Dart can’t pry the job away from Wilson ahead of Week 1, he has a reason to set Nov. 23 as his next deadline.