Jaxson Dart balances teammate role and competitive urge while waiting for Giants' turn

Jaxson Dart said he is walking a fine line between being a supportive teammate and a competitor eager to play as he waits for an opportunity to take over for the New York Giants.

The 22-year-old rookie first-round pick out of Ole Miss made his first public comments since training camp on Friday, acknowledging that sitting on the sideline is difficult but calling it part of the process. "As a competitor, I don’t have a blast watching from the sideline. But it’s just the way that it is," Dart said. "My job is just to do what I can control and when I’m sitting there, I’m itching. You just want to compete. You want to be out there."

Dart has leaned into the backing-up role by preparing in ways he said help both him and the starters. He takes mental reps while not leading the scout team, spends extra time after practice working with third-string quarterback Jameis Winston and, with other backups, goes through the full offensive script to remain sharp. Last week he said he was emulating Jayden Daniels in practice; this week he has been working on matching the cadence of Dak Prescott, including Prescott’s "Here we go" cadence.

"Cadence wise, you definitely try to marry those things up. I’m doing the Dak ‘Here we go’ cadence and that stuff," Dart said. "It’s fun because I’m able to take time to watch those other quarterbacks around the league and kind of see the things that they do at a really high level."

Giants fans have clamored to see the rookie after a shaky Week 1 performance from the Wilson-led offense in a loss to Washington. Despite the external noise, Dart said his focus is on helping Russell Wilson and the team prepare for the upcoming game against the Dallas Cowboys.

"My job is just to be the best teammate for Russ," Dart said. He added that watching games from the sideline has taught him to view situations through a broader lens. "You see adjustments that we can make every time we come off the field. See what adjustments the defense is making. So, I kind of see it through a coaching lens almost, of just being able to see the full picture."

The Giants have not announced any timeline for a change at quarterback, and Wilson remains the starter. Still, Dart acknowledged the possibility that his chance could come sooner rather than later and said he is preparing accordingly. "I’m confident in myself, so whatever opportunity happens, or whatever may happen, I’m preparing for that opportunity," he said. "I feel like I’m going to go out there and succeed anytime I’m on the field."

Veteran backups and recent examples around the league inform Dart’s thinking. Teammate Winston pointed to Green Bay’s Jordan Love as an example of a quarterback who learned by watching before emerging, and Dart said he could see the value in both patient and immediate paths to starting roles. He cited Patrick Mahomes and Love as players who benefited from waiting and watching, and Peyton Manning as someone who succeeded after being thrust into the spotlight early.

Dart’s preseason work drew attention, and the rookie said that while he respects the timing set by coaches, he is eager to translate his preparation into game action. He emphasized that sitting allows him to observe opponent tendencies and defensive adjustments from a vantage point he would not have while actively playing.

Coaches have used practice reps and scout-team performances to simulate upcoming opponents, and Dart’s willingness to take on the roles of different opposing quarterbacks is part of that preparation. The approach is intended to sharpen both the starters and the backups, giving the coaching staff clearer data on what adjustments are needed in game planning.

The Giants’ immediate focus is on improving offensive execution after the opening-week loss and on preparing Russell Wilson and the offense for Sunday’s matchup with the Cowboys. Dart said he will continue to perform the role the coaching staff asks of him while staying ready for whatever opportunity presents itself.

"You kind of feel like a fan a little bit when you’re on the sideline," Dart said. "So, it’s a little bit different of a feeling of what I’m used to, but I’m just trying to shift my perspective."

The team’s final roster decisions and any potential in-season quarterback changes will determine when Dart gets his first regular-season start, but he and the Giants are treating preparation as the clearest path forward.