When the New York Giants traded back into the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft to get Jaxson Dart, they knew they were getting a quarterback with potential. But whatâs becoming more and more clear is that Dart isnât just a project for the futureâheâs already making waves in rookie minicamp. From his leadership on the field to his quick grasp of the playbook, Dart is proving he was worth the investment.
A Natural Leader from Day One
It doesnât take long to notice Jaxson Dart carries himself like a vet, even among players he just met. His confidence and poise have been evident in interviews and on the practice field. Rookie running back Cam Skattebo couldnât help but gush about Dart after their first day together:
âI mean, heâs super smart,â Skattebo said. âIâve talked to him the last 24 hours and the kid is one of the smartest Iâve been around. He did a great job with the 7 on 7 play calls, snap counts and all that, making sure everybody was in line. I canât wait to see what heâs capable of.â
Dartâs ability to step into a leadership role so quick has impressed not only his teammates but the coaches too. As the quarterback he knows heâs running the showâand heâs owning it.
âAs a quarterback you run the ship when youâre out there,â Dart said. âIf you donât know the ins and outs of everything youâre not going to have everybody around you prepared. And I think thatâs super important. It raises the bar for everyone around you.â
On-the-Field Performance Shines Through
Fridayâs rookie minicamp 7 on 7 drills had Dart throwing with accuracy and pace. Coach Kafka was calling plays in his helmet and Dart was executing them. He wasnât perfect but you could see heâs ready to learn and adapt.
He made sure to review the practice script with his new teammates on the bus ride from the Giants facility to the hotel.
âAs the quarterback youâve got to make sure everybody knows what theyâre doing,â Dart said. âSo I tried to get as many guys as I could on the offensive side of the ball and go through it, teach everybody and make sure weâre all on the same page.â
Quick Study Off the Field
One of the most impressive things about Dartâs early days with the Giants is how fast heâs picking up information. Rookie camp is a firehose of information, with coaches throwing schemes at players and expecting quick answers. According to Skattebo, Dart is crushing it:
âCoaches say something and if you answer fast and right, thatâs hard to do, especially with the nerves and everything that adds up as a rookie,â Skattebo said. âBut [Dart] hears it once and can repeat it back to back. He just does that.â
Dartâs football IQ and ability to process is separating him from the other rookies. Whether itâs memorizing routes or understanding coverages, heâs showing heâs ahead of the curve.
The Future for Dart
While Dart is definitely impressing early, thereâs no immediate pressure for him to be the starter. The Giants signed Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston to handle the position for the short term, giving Dart time to develop.
But heâs showing he could push for playing time sooner rather than later. Will he be ready for 2025? Or will it be 2026? Only time will tell but one thing is for sure, Dart is soaking up every lesson he can.
âI think if you want to be a great team and compete at the highest level, thatâs how you have to be as a quarterback,â Dart said.









