Entering the season, one major question surrounding the New York Giants was whether second-year quarterback Jaxson Dart could take the next step and become their franchise quarterback.
Dart didn't waste any time answering his critics, knocking it out of the park by leading the Giants to an opening-night 28-20 win over the Dallas Cowboys at MetLife Stadium
"You guys were asking, 'What do we want to see from him?'" said offensive coordinator Matt Nagy this week. "He was calm, he was composed, he made plays when plays were needed. The moment was never too big for him. I wasn't really sure going into it. We're a young team, and even in training camp, in our preseason, we get excited.
"I love that part, but sometimes you wonder, is the moment too big?
And I came out of that thinking and knowing with our guys, the moment's not too big. I think now the next thing will be, for Jaxson, for us as coaches, and the rest of the players, is zero complacency, unacceptable. We’ve got to understand that what happened on Sunday night was expected."
Dart completed 23 of 29 passes for a career-high 79.3 percent completion rate, 230 yards, and three touchdowns, with no interceptions. He also recorded a career-high passer rating of 134.2. Dart also rushed 11 times for 54 yards.
On Sunday night, Dart became only the second player in NFL history to have three or more passing touchdowns, no interceptions, 50 or more rushing yards, and a completion percentage above 75 in a Week 1 game, a feat only matched by the Philadelphia Eagles' Jalen Hurtsin 2021.
"I thought Jaxson did a great job of managing that because there’s a lot for him to manage," head coach John Harbaugh said after the game. "And then making the plays, he made some throws, man. Some of the throws like to (TE Isaiah) Likely on the sideline, some of those throws were just pinpoint accurate type throws. It was a great performance by Jaxson."
Three former NFL quarterbacks also lauded Dart's performance this week.
“He was probably the guy of everybody in the league that surprised me the most at how well he played in Week 1.”
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) September 16, 2026
—@kurt13warner on Jaxson Dart against the Cowboys 🌟 pic.twitter.com/5XXqxTKjj8
Jaxson Dart & the Giants are for real….completely different offense with Isaiah Likey out there. pic.twitter.com/W4IphKF45K
— Chase Daniel (@ChaseDaniel) September 16, 2026
Former Giants great Phil Simms says Dart has the full package, from the talent to the leadership skills.
"He literally doesn't miss. He's got great charisma, he's one of the guys, the players love him."@colincowherd & @PhilSimmsQB talk Jaxson Dart & the New York Giants pic.twitter.com/hVOhqgIFFj
— Herd w/Colin Cowherd (@TheHerd) September 16, 2026
Now, Dart has to follow that up in Week 2 against the Los Angeles Rams on Monday Night Football.
This article originally appeared on Giants Wire: 3 retired NFL quarterbacks rave about New York Giants QB Jaxson Dart
