The New York Giants had one of the best offseasons in the NFL in 2025. With key additions in free agency and a strong draft, the arrival generating the most excitement among fans comes down to EDGE Abdul Carter and quarterback Jaxson Dart. While Carter is the better player of the two and is expected to make an early impact, the situation with Dart is different.
The Giants currently have Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston under contract, both veteran quarterbacks who joined the team this offseason, which raises the question: When will Dart make his debut for the franchise? One analyst shared his prediction on ESPN’s “Get Up,” and it might be sooner than you think.
When Is Jaxson Dart’s Going To Debut With the Giants?
The Giants’ plan for 2025 seems clear: Maximize the potential of their young talent while facing one of the toughest schedules in the NFL, and stay competitive with Wilson, who’s coming off a solid year with the Pittsburgh Steelers. A championship isn’t a realistic goal this season, and the franchise is thinking long-term, which gives head coach Brian Daboll flexibility.
While the team does need to perform, there’s no need to rush Dart into action before the time is right. Still, at some point, he’s expected to take over as the starter and begin the long-term plan. Analyst Harry Douglas argued that the ideal game for that transition would be against the New Orleans Saints in Week 5.
“I’m going to go the first weekend in October. They’re going down to New Orleans to play the Saints, and he’s probably going to be facing another rookie quarterback in Tyler Shough. You don’t want to start in the first four weeks. They play the Dallas Cowboys, they play the Kansas City Chiefs, they play the Commanders, and also the Los Angeles Chargers. Let his first start come when they go down to New Orleans.”
Dart was selected late in the first round, at pick No. 25. The Giants traded back into the first round to secure him, a clear sign that he is truly viewed as the franchise guy, the quarterback Daboll intends to develop into the team’s future.
Facing the Saints would serve as a favorable debut. New Orleans is in the middle of a rebuild and has one of the bleakest outlooks for the 2025 NFL season. According to PFSN, New Orleans is projected to win just two games, highlighting the lack of talent on the roster and making the Saints an ideal opponent for Dart’s first start.
Playing in New York is no easy task. The city lives and breathes sports, has one of the most intense media environments in the country, and a passionate — and demanding — fanbase. But if Dart can become the franchise quarterback the Giants have been searching for, the city will embrace him, and hope could finally return after so many years.