The New York Giants entered the 2025 season in turmoil at quarterback, prompting the front office to bring in veterans Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston in hopes of stabilizing the offense. Despite their experience, neither veteran managed to deliver the spark New York hoped for.
Instead, it was rookie Jaxson Dart who steadily rose through the depth chart and ultimately claimed the starting job. As Dart and the Giants prepare to take on the New England Patriots squad under the lights of Gillette Stadium on Monday Night Football, here’s a closer look at the rookie’s path to QB1.
Jaxson Dart’s Road To Giants QB1
While the Giants had traded back into the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft to select Dart, the plan was still simple: let the rookie develop while Wilson started and Winston provided insurance. The front office envisioned a year in which Dart would learn from two NFL veterans before eventually taking over the role. That plan, however, did not last long.
Wilson opened the season as QB1 but struggled to establish any rhythm or command of the offense. He started three games, losing all of them, and completed 65 of 110 passes for three touchdowns and three interceptions, ranking 36th in PFSN’s QB Impact metric.
With the team slipping and former head coach Brian Daboll desperate to save the season and his job, the Giants made the switch in Week 4 and handed Dart the reins. The rookie delivered immediately. Through seven contests, he has accounted for 17 total touchdowns and led the team to its only two wins of the season.
Dart managed to produce even after the Giants lost star receiver Malik Nabers earlier in the schedule. He subsequently formed one of the league’s most entertaining duos with fellow rookie Cam Skattebo before the running back also suffered a season-ending injury.
The road hasn’t been smooth for Dart either. He has taken multiple hits since becoming the Giants’ QB1, and suffered a concussion in Week 10 that sidelined him for two weeks.
Winston stepped in during the absence, and though the Giants lost both games, the veteran played far better than Wilson had earlier in the year. Winston completed 56.9% of his passes for 567 yards, threw two touchdowns against two picks, and even added a receiving touchdown.
Dart is now set to return in Week 13 with renewed hopes of giving New York another win. His overall performance has been one of the league’s most surprising storylines as he ranks No. 12 quarterback with a 79.6 Impact Score on the PFSN QB Impact Metric, placing him ahead of established stars like Justin Herbert, Jared Goff, and Lamar Jackson. For the Giants, it’s a clear sign that a new era may already be underway.