Giants determined to remain patient with Jaxson Dart, embrace idea of redshirt season

New York Times

4 days ago

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Jaxson Dart appears to already be the beneficiary of a luxury not many NFL rookies are afforded: time.
Though the New York Giants expect big things from the quarterback they drafted No. 25 in April, they've made it clear they don't expect them right away. Instead, they're practicing patience with their first-round pick and effectively hoping to make Dart's rookie campaign a redshirt season.
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At least, that's the plan. For now, the Giants are Russell Wilson's team. Coach Brian Daboll made that clear Wednesday.
'These guys will be out here competing, but Russ is our starter,' Daboll said of the 10-time Pro Bowl quarterback.
With Jameis Winston a capable backup option, the pressure should be off Dart, the franchise's first drafted quarterback since the 2019 selection of Daniel Jones. However, though the Giants want to give Dart time to develop, Giants fans are eager to see what he can do. 'Let's go, Dart' chants could be heard as the QB took the field Wednesday for his first seven-on-seven reps of training camp.
Though fans might want a glimpse of the future, the Giants aren't in a hurry to show it to them. In the Giants' ideal world, which means a season's worth of quality play from Wilson without any significant injuries, Dart wouldn't have to play much, if at all, this year.
Remember, a key member of the coaching staff has experience with the redshirt method. Assistant head coach/offensive coordinator Mike Kafka's first NFL coaching gig was with the Kansas City Chiefs as an offensive quality control coach during Patrick Mahomes' rookie season. Mahomes played just one game in late December before the Chiefs traded QB Alex Smith in the offseason. Mahomes took over the starting job the next year. You know what happened next.
'I think there's some real benefits from sitting and learning, specifically from some of the guys in the room that have the experience that they have,' Giants general manager Joe Schoen said Wednesday. 'But if the coaching staff at some point feels it's right and (Dart's) ready, then I'll leave that up to them.
'We've got a really good offensive staff, and when they feel he's ready, the time's right or the circumstance is right, then we'll have those conversations.'
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No one is expecting Dart to be Mahomes, but the year of development time certainly seemed to help Mahomes adjust to the NFL. Aaron Rodgers and Jordan Love offer similar success stories.
The Giants are hoping Dart can join their ranks. But that's if things go to plan. That hasn't often been the case for a franchise that's gone a combined 9-25 over the past two seasons. Then factor in that the Giants face maybe the toughest schedule in the league, and the path looks harder for the Giants to produce sustained success long enough before coaches feel forced to make the transition to Dart.
But until that time comes, Dart's focus will simply be on getting better and adjusting to the NFL game. There are going to be bumps in the road, as we saw Wednesday when Dart's very first 11-on-11 attempt was intercepted by cornerback Nic Jones.
Dart told The Athletic's Ian O'Connor that he didn't see Jones there.
'I just felt like I could beat him with the throw,' Dart said. 'Obviously, going back, you want to try to put it a little on the outside shoulder. That's just the closing speed of the NFL. You do your best to try to get used to it because there are a lot of really, really good athletes out here.'
Jaxson Dart's first 11-on-11 pass was intercepted by Nic Jones.
Jones took Dart to the house for six two plays later 😳
🎥 @charlottecrrllpic.twitter.com/Yofn9I7THT
— The Athletic NFL (@TheAthleticNFL) July 23, 2025
Two plays later, Dart threw a touchdown pass to tight end Theo Johnson. The QB finished the red zone-focused 11-on-11 period 1-of-5 passing.
When it comes to the evaluation of Dart's development, Daboll will be looking at how Dart responds to his mistakes.
'What you evaluate is: Are you an error repeater? Do you make the same mistake the next day and then the next day?' Daboll said. 'And if that's the case, it's hard to put a player out there who does that. If they're learning from their mistakes, which all players are going to learn from them, but these young players, they got to learn quick.'
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Throughout the spring, Daboll said Dart was the type of player who doesn't often make the same mistake twice. Now we'll see how that progresses in camp and whether Dart plays well enough to overtake Winston for the No. 2 job before the season starts. Dart took just one first-team rep Wednesday but otherwise rotated with Winston with the second team.
'Jaxson's a guy who puts the time in, has got the right qualities,' Daboll said. 'He'll continue to get better day by day, and that's what we're going to ask of him.'