EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – Jaxson Dart’s performance in his second preseason game with the New York Giants surpassed even his outstanding initial presentation. Dart completed 14 of 16 passes for 137 yards, adding a touchdown pass and another rushing touchdown on Saturday night in his debut at MetLife Stadium against the New York Jets. The young quarterback, selected in the first round of the draft, completed his last 13 passes and led the Giants on two offensive drives that culminated in touchdowns, thus starting the second half of the game, which ended with a 31-12 victory.
Coach Brian Daboll surprised everyone by including Dart at an unexpected moment in the second quarter, replacing starter Russell Wilson for a play. Dart threw a short 30-yard pass to tight end Theo Johnson before returning to the bench.Executed well.
Brian Daboll, Giants coach
Daboll kept this strategy a secret, even from his coaches, as part of the development plan for Dart, who has shown consistent improvement during the summer. In his two preseason games, Dart has shown the potential to be the franchise quarterback, with a total of 26 of 35 passes completed for 291 yards, two passing touchdowns and one rushing touchdown, facing the Buffalo Bills and the Jets. Despite his success, Dart remains the team’s second quarterback, behind Wilson, although he had an offensive series with the first line in the first half, which marked the first time Dart worked with the starting unit for a significant period.I told myself, well, I didn’t know I was going to go in for a play and then come back out. I think this shows that he’s creating scenarios where you never know when you’re going to be called and you have to be ready. He’s done it in practice. So I think that taught me that I need to keep warming up on the bench. You never know when things like that will happen.
Jaxson Dart
The Giants have reiterated that Wilson is the starter, since his hiring in March and at the start of training camp. Wilson has led practices with the first team and is expected to be the starter in the first game against the Washington Commanders. Wilson has also had success in the preseason, with his first offensive series culminating in a touchdown. The team managed to advance thanks to an 80-yard “Moon Ball” pass from Wilson to Beaux Collins, who was tackled at the one-yard line. Tyrone Tracy scored the touchdown two plays later, giving the Giants a 7-0 lead. Wilson finished with 4 of 7 passes for 108 yards, leading an offensive series that resulted in scoring on four possessions. His performance ended with an interception in the end zone, directed at Collins, which Daboll attributed to a play that the quarterback and receiver had not practiced.Russ is our starter and we will continue to develop Jaxson.
Brian Daboll
Dart, for his part, lamented a play on third down during his first series, where he was brought down by his own shoelace, losing the opportunity for a possible long touchdown run. Daboll is aware that, despite Dart’s initial success in the preseason, there will be ups and downs, and acknowledges that the young quarterback still has a lot to learn.It was good. He executed well.
Brian Daboll
Yes, he still has a lot to learn. But he is growing every day. As I said, that’s why we recruited him. We spend a lot of time with him, we have a lot of confidence in the young man. He has done a good job for us since he’s been here in all possible areas, off the field, on the field, leadership, courage, intelligence, but it’s early. We’ve played a couple of preseason games against probably some simple defenses, but he’s progressing every day and that’s all you can ask of any other young player.
Brian Daboll
