Giants Rookie Quarterback Impresses in Preseason Start
Meet Jackson Dart.
Giants coach Brian Daboll decided to give rookie quarterback Jackson Dart his first preseason start on Thursday night, pitting him against the Patriots at MetLife Stadium. Fans, players, and coaches alike seemed pleased with what they witnessed.
Dart wasted no time showcasing why there’s been so much buzz around him this summer. Right from the get-go, his energy was palpable.
He took the field backed by a roster of backups, as most of the starters were given a night off. His first pass was a solid strike during a fluid drive, benefiting from strong pocket protection.
Olszewski made the most of it, catching the ball and carrying it for 50 yards. Dart then sent a pass toward the end zone, but fellow rookie tight end Thomas Fidorn couldn’t quite snag it while diving.
However, Dart didn’t let that deter him. His third attempt resulted in points, as he connected with tight end Greg Dalcich, who outmaneuvered cornerback Miles Battle for a 7-yard touchdown. It was a nice display, especially since Dart and Dalcich had teamed up for another touchdown in their previous game against the Jets.
That was the highlight of the night, though it felt like there could’ve been more. There were missed opportunities—like a drop by Bo Collins and another from Jonathan Ward. Dart even had a deep throw to Jarin Hyatt that was nearly spot-on but unfortunately hit Hyatt on the shoulder instead.
Later in the first quarter, on a fourth down, Daboll opted for a riskier play instead of punting. Dart showcased his speed and instincts with a 23-yard scramble, but that’s when linebacker Jack Givens came out of nowhere. Givens tackled Dart, and the ball popped loose during the fall. Thankfully, a penalty against the Patriots meant the Giants retained possession. However, Dart was subsequently taken to the medical tent due to concerns of a concussion.
When he finally emerged, he seemed to have a lengthy discussion with Daboll.
Jameis Winston came in to replace Dart, and on his very first play, he connected with Hyatt for a 27-yard touchdown. In the end, Dart’s night wrapped up there.
Overall, he completed 6 of 12 passes for 81 yards, finishing with a passer rating of 99.7.
Dart had also served as a captain for the coin toss before taking the field. His presence was felt throughout.
It makes sense that Daboll chose to rest Russell Wilson and most of the starters, given the preseason context. He had taken a different approach earlier in the summer, opting to play starters in the first two preseason games against the Bills and Jets. But moving forward, he’s clearly being cautious with key players as the regular season opener looms on September 7 against Washington.
At just 22 years old, Dart has sparked considerable excitement among fans with his performances so far. He had already completed 26 of 35 passes for 291 yards, throwing two touchdowns and even running one in.
His poise and ability to rally his teammates were among the reasons the Giants traded up to snag him in the first round of the NFL Draft. I watched him during training camp and have been rooting for his success.
Daboll has mentioned that 36-year-old Wilson will be the starting quarterback come the regular season, marking his 14th year in the league.
That said, Dart’s performance might have solidified his position as a backup after spending much of camp with the second team, while Winston mostly worked with the third string. Wilson had seen action in the first two preseason games, completing 10 of 14 passes for 136 yards.
