Jaxson Dart Locked In on Finishing Strong, Not Draft Talk
The New York Giants’ rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart isn’t interested in the draft board, mock projections, or any of the noise surrounding a 2-11 season. His focus? Simple.
“Win … win four games,” Dart said Wednesday.
That’s the mindset of a young quarterback who knows the tape doesn’t lie - especially when your team is out of playoff contention and currently holds the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. The Giants have four games left, three of them at home, and the combined record of their remaining opponents - the Commanders, Vikings, Raiders and Cowboys - sits at 16-35-1. That’s a .317 winning percentage, and it means opportunity is still on the table.
Dart’s not sugarcoating the situation. This season has been tough, the kind that tests a locker room’s resolve. But he’s leaning into the challenge.
“I think it’s extremely important and it’s really required for us to make sure that these last four games we really put our best foot down,” Dart said. “You preach around that your résumé is your tape.”
That’s a message every player in that locker room understands. With postseason hopes long gone, what’s left is pride, professionalism, and the chance to show growth - both individually and as a team. Dart’s emphasis on detail and discipline speaks to a player who knows how quickly things can change in the NFL.
“You definitely just have that message to echo across the locker room and in the meetings and everything, just making sure that we are approaching it the right way,” he added. “It’s definitely new to a lot of us … it’s definitely not fun and you just try to not be discouraged.”
That’s the kind of leadership you want to see from a rookie quarterback - not just trying to survive the season, but trying to elevate the group around him.
Dart’s Self-Scouting During the Bye
During the bye week, Dart did what every young quarterback should: he went back to the tape. All 513 snaps he’s played this season, broken down and analyzed.
The takeaway?
“I felt like my decision making has been pretty good, not putting the ball in harm’s way,” Dart said. “Situationally, I felt like I didn’t really try to force things too much. I kind of just tried to let the game come to me.”
There’s a maturity in that approach. Dart knows he’s not going to win every rep, but he’s showing signs of a quarterback who understands how to manage the game - and when to take his shots. He pointed to the offense’s ability to avoid negative plays and generate explosive moments, even if the results haven’t always translated into wins.
“The Patriots game was a tough one,” he admitted, “but I feel like as an offense, we’ve been able to be pretty explosive and do some good stuff.”
That’s not just lip service. That’s a young quarterback seeing the bigger picture - identifying what’s working, what needs refinement, and how to build off it going forward.
Thoughts on Lane Kiffin’s Move to LSU
Dart spent three years under Lane Kiffin at Ole Miss, so naturally, he had thoughts on his former coach’s surprise move to LSU - a shake-up that means Kiffin won’t be coaching the Rebels in the College Football Playoff.
“Crazy,” Dart said with a smile. “I think with Kiff, he kind of does some things that are unexpected.”
That’s putting it lightly. But Dart didn’t sound bitter - far from it. His respect for Kiffin runs deep, and he’s rooting for him in Baton Rouge.
“I’m looking forward to his next opportunity,” Dart said. “Me and him just have such a great relationship. So, I know for him that he’s going to put his best foot down and do some really great things for that program.”
At the same time, Dart’s happy to see Ole Miss keep defensive coordinator Pete Golding and the rest of the offensive staff intact for the playoff run.
“I felt like that would be kind of, I don’t know, just like a disrespect a little bit to not allow those guys [to] finish it out,” he said. “Really happy to see, or excited to see their run for a national championship this year.”
That’s a quarterback who still has strong ties to his college roots - and who understands how much continuity and leadership matter in big moments.
Cam Skattebo’s Return Brings a Lift
There was a welcome surprise at the Giants’ facility this week: running back Cam Skattebo, just under two months removed from a dislocated ankle and other injuries, walked into the building - on his own.
For Dart, it was a much-needed bright spot.
“It was definitely just a bright spot,” he said. “I know that he’s obviously thrilled to kind of have that relief and I know that his recovery is coming along really well.”
Skattebo’s presence in the locker room matters. He’s a glue guy - the kind of teammate who brings energy and positivity, even when he's not on the field. Dart made it clear how much it meant to see him back around the team.
“He’s just a really good guy to have in the locker room,” Dart said. “So, I’m just happy that he’s able to get back into the facility more, be around the guys, and to see him with a smile.”
The Road Ahead
The Giants may be out of the playoff picture, but they’re not out of chances to grow. For Jaxson Dart, these next four games aren’t about draft positioning or tanking narratives. They’re about proving you belong - about showing that even in a lost season, there’s value in competing the right way.
And if Dart has his way, the Giants won’t be finishing 2-15. He’s aiming to finish 6-11 - and to send a message in the process.