Former Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart’s rookie season with the New York Giants was a major success. The quarterback was with Ole Miss from 2022-24.
The New York Giants selected him at No. 25 in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft, and in his first year in the pros, he managed to overcome struggles, defeat top teams in the league and establish himself as the franchise quarterback.
“He’s setting the tone for what Ole Miss can produce,” freshman allied health major Mayes Johnson said.
Dart has been nominated for Rookie of the Year. The winner will be announced during Super Bowl LX week. Fans can vote at NFL.com/rookies.
Early season
After the Giants started the season 0-3 behind quarterback Russell Wilson, Dart got the chance to prove himself when he was named the starter ahead of a matchup against the then-undefeated Los Angeles Chargers.
In his first start, Dart posted a completion percentage of 65%, but it was his ability to take off and run that led to a Giants win. Dart kept drives alive with his legs; he even found the end zone on a 15-yard rush for his first career touchdown.
The Giants won 21-18. Dart finished 13-of-20 for 111 yards and added 54 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown. He became the first rookie quarterback to beat a team 3-0 or better in a first career start since 1979.
Dart said he was optimistic about the rest of the season in a postgame interview with CBS Sports.
“It was definitely a special ending,” Dart said. “(It is) just the start of the journey.”
However, the next game was a reality check for Dart. Against the New Orleans Saints, he threw two interceptions and fumbled once. His 202 passing yards and two passing touchdowns were both career highs, but the turnovers were critical. As a result, the Saints won their first game of the season.
Only a week later, Dart bounced back and led the Giants to a 34-17 victory over the reigning Super Bowl champions, the Philadelphia Eagles. Dart threw for 158 yards and a touchdown and added 58 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown. It was his third consecutive game with more than 50 rushing yards.
Midseason
Despite Dart’s dual threat abilities and early success, the Giants fell into a losing streak. They reached a low point in Week 10 after blowing a 10-point fourth quarter lead to the Chicago Bears — their fourth straight loss. Afterwards, Giants ownership fired head coach Brian Daboll.
This was a difficult stretch for Dart and the Giants. In Week 8, rookie running back Cam Skattebo, who was enjoying a breakout season, suffered a season-ending ankle injury. Back in Dart’s first career win against the Chargers, second-year receiver Malik Nabers tore his ACL and was also sidelined for the remainder of the season.
Dart himself had injury trouble. He was evaluated for concussions five times in his first 10 NFL games. In the Week 10 Bears game, Dart suffered a concussion and exited the game early. He missed two weeks of action, and both fans and experts alike worried about the sustainability of his somewhat reckless playing style — yet Dart told the media that he does not plan to change this.
“This is football. I’m going to get hit if I’m in the pocket or outside the pocket,” Dart said. “You’re going to get hit, things happen. It’s part of the game.”
Late season
Dart finished the season on a high note and led the Giants to a 34-17 Week 18 victory over the Dallas Cowboys. The New York Giants ended the season with a 4-13 record and secured the No. 5 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Dart reflected on his season in the Cowboys postgame presser. He noted that he hopes to continue to make an impact on the Giants franchise.
“I’m confident in myself every time I step on the field,” Dart said. “I feel like I’m a player who can shift the game and change it in a way for our team to win, and that’s just the kind of confidence that I have from how I prepare each and every day.”
The Giants failed to make the playoffs, but Dart emphasized that offseason is not a time of rest for himself and the team — it’s an opportunity to prepare for next season.
“We can’t accept what happened this year to ever happen again,” Dart said. “I’m excited for the offseason to grow that culture and help put my hand in it.”
Dart finished the season with 24 touchdowns, 15 throwing and nine rushing, and only five interceptions. He threw for 2,272 yards and rushed for 487 yards.
For the Giants’ faithful, Dart’s final words summed up his season and the hope he has brought them.
“I just try to give everything I have when I’m on the field,” Dart said. “I try to be a spark, and I definitely want people to believe because I believe.”
