New York Giants rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart is living a childhood dream. As a child, Dart became a fan of the Seattle Seahawks and their then-quarterback, Russell Wilson. It is no surprise that Dart started emulating one of the best quarterbacks in the league when he switched to that position, at about age nine or 10.
He has acknowledged modeling much of his game after former Giants quarterback Eli Manning. He even attended Manning’s alma mater, Ole Miss. However, Wilson is the quarterback he listed on his “dream team.”
That childhood dream became a reality when Dart was chosen by the team that had just signed Wilson to a one-year contract. Now, he can learn from one of the best ever to play the game.
Jaxson Dart Shared His Feelings on Giants’ QB Room
The NFL’s 2025 draftees recently came together at the NFLPA Rookie Premier event in Los Angeles. During an interview with Sports Illustrated’s Gilberto Manzano, Dart was asked about playing with Wilson, who has been named the team’s starter for 2025.
“Our sole focus, as a quarterback room, is to win games,” Dart explained about playing with a strong veteran group. “That’s why we come to work every single day. We want to win. So we all have the same focus, we have the same intent in what we’re doing and how we’re trying to handle it to make the team better.”
Besides Wilson and Dart, the Giants have Jameis Winston and Tommy DeVito on the roster. He said the three of them have been great and among the first teammates to call and welcome him to New York.
“Obviously, you’re competing, but these guys, they’ve been in my shoes, they were rookies once too. They understand the growing pains, the adjustments from learning a new system so fast, and adjusting to the game speed. They’ve been great assets for me, giving me advice. I have a great corner with those guys, so I’m going to continue to lean on them,” Dart said about playing with Wilson, Winston and DeVito.
The Giants wanted to add Dart to their roster badly enough that they traded up with the Houston Texans, from early in the second round to select him later in the first round, 25th overall.
Watching Russell Wilson, Waiting Patiently: Dart’s Story Comes Full Circle
In the same interview, Dart admitted he had a Wilson jersey. He said he grew up watching Wilson play for Seattle and win a Super Bowl. While many people compare him to Manning, Wilson was his childhood hero.
Wilson was set to be the starter for the Pittsburgh Steelers going into the 2024 season but suffered a calf injury before training camp. That allowed Justin Fields to take over for him for the first six games. Once Wilson returned, he got off to a hot start before regressing as Pittsburgh lost its final five games, including the AFC Wild Card.
Wilson has a higher chance of being injured at 36, and depending on Dart’s progress, he could find an opportunity to play in 2025. Dart displayed so much talent while at Ole Miss that football fans everywhere will be watching his development.