On a breezy May afternoon at the New York Giants’ practice facility, the air buzzed with more than just the usual anticipation of rookie minicamp. For Jaxson Dart, the Giants’ first-round quarterback and a symbol of hope for the franchise’s future, the moment wasn’t just about tossing spirals or impressing coaches—it was about living a dream that, until now, existed only in the mind of a kid wearing a Russell Wilson jersey while watching a Super Bowl.
“It’s surreal,” Dart admitted, still adjusting to the reality of donning a Giants jersey. “Me and Abdul [Carter] were just talking about it. I think it kind of just hit us—being out here, wearing this jersey, it’s an amazing privilege. We definitely hold it in high regard.”
That privilege comes with the weight of expectations. But if Dart felt the pressure, he didn’t show it. Calm, confident, and self-assured, he carried himself as if he’d already been here before. And in some ways, through years of meticulous preparation and relentless competitiveness, he has.
Winning the Mental Game
Before ever stepping on the practice field, Dart was already winning over the coaching staff. A now-viral clip from the draft process showed him going toe-to-toe with head coach Brian Daboll in a whiteboard session, identifying concepts and formations that weren’t even part of his install.
“I figured it out pretty quick,” Dart said with a smile. “They definitely tested me harder than any other team throughout this process. But that’s why I’m here. I want to be challenged. I want to be around the best.”
The connection between coach and quarterback was instant. Daboll, notorious for his tough, relentless coaching style, saw something in Dart that reminded him of his own football philosophy—toughness, grit, and an insatiable appetite to lead.
“We just click,” Dart said. “We see football the same way. It’s a tough, physical sport, and I try to play it like a defensive player. I attack everything I do.”
Commanding the Huddle—Even Off the Field
Even before the first whistle, Dart was doing what he does best: leading. On the bus ride back to the team hotel the night before minicamp, he gathered as many offensive players as he could.
“We went through the script and did a walkthrough,” Dart explained. “It made the operation smoother on the field, and everyone played faster and more confidently. As a quarterback, you run the ship out there. If you don’t know the ins and outs, you can’t have everyone else prepared.”
This is what separates Dart from many first-year quarterbacks. He understands the responsibility of the position extends beyond the field—into every conversation, every meeting, every moment of preparation.
“It doesn’t matter where you got drafted or how high you went,” Dart said. “You’ve got to show up every day with the right mindset. That’s how you succeed in this league.”
Learning from Legends, Staying Humble
Despite his first-round status, Dart is quick to admit he’s still a sponge, eager to learn from veterans like Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston.
“They were some of the first people to text me when I got drafted,” he recalled. “Those are guys I’ve looked up to for a long time. I remember wearing Russell’s jersey when he won the Super Bowl. Now, I’m in the same room as him. That’s special.”
But Dart isn’t content to sit back and learn passively. “I’m here to compete and make everyone better,” he added. “That’s the mindset you have to have.”
The Necklace That Means More Than Luck
Around his neck, Dart wears a simple necklace—a small symbol that carries big meaning.
“It was my little sister’s,” he explained. “Before our bowl game, I saw it in her room and just put it on. It’s kind of been good luck ever since.”
His younger brother has since ordered one, and the family’s bond remains a driving force behind his grounded personality.
“I’m the oldest,” Dart said proudly. “Family means everything.”
Looking the Part, Preparing for the Role
While the quarterback competition in New York remains wide open with veterans Wilson and Winston ahead of him, Dart isn’t thinking about depth charts.
“I’m a competitor,” he said firmly. “I don’t care where I’m at on the chart. If you’re losing, it sucks. I just want to win and make the team better.”
As for the number six jersey he’s sporting at camp? “We’ll see if it sticks,” Dart joked. “Honestly, I need to check the pictures and see if I like how I look in it.”
With the Giants focused on building toward the future, Jaxson Dart represents more than just the next quarterback in line—he embodies the culture shift this franchise has been desperately searching for. Calm under pressure, relentless in preparation, and fearless in competition, Dart is ready to prove he belongs.
And if the first day was any indication, he’s already well on his way.
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