Giants Make Massive Jaxson Dart Announcement Ahead Of Patriots Game

The New York Giants and New England Patriots will face off on Monday Night Football in a few days, and the matchup is expected to be more competitive than the clubs’ respective records would normally indicate. It’ll also be interesting now that Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart has been cleared to start, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

Schefter relayed the news on Friday afternoon after getting word from Giants interim head coach Mike Kakfa that Dart will start. The rookie QB cleared concussion protocol on Thursday.

Dart’s rookie campaign with the Giants has unfolded as a tale of raw potential amid persistent challenges. Drafted 25th overall out of Ole Miss in April, the 22-year-old quarterback entered the league surrounded by whispers that he was ready to play immediately.

Yet, Dart didn’t claim the starting role until Week 4, following a dismal 0-3 opening under veteran Russell Wilson. The switch ignited an immediate response: in his first outing against the Los Angeles Chargers, Dart engineered a narrow 20-17 victory, completing 22 of 35 passes for 248 yards and two touchdowns while adding a 12-yard rushing score.

That win marked the Giants’ lone triumph until Week 7, when Dart torched the Denver Broncos for 283 passing yards, three aerial scores, and another ground touchdown in a 28-24 upset. Over seven starts, he’s tallied 1,417 passing yards, 10 touchdowns against six interceptions, and a league-leading streak of five straight games with a rushing touchdown, capped by two against the Chicago Bears in Week 10 before a concussion sidelined him.

Dart’s aggressive style has drawn praise from teammates like Brian Burns, who called the QB’s fearlessness a “game-changer,” but it has also exposed vulnerabilities. The Giants’ offensive line has crumbled under pressure, allowing Dart to absorb 28 sacks (fourth-most among starters), prompting coaches to urge a more cautious approach to his runs. Kafka emphasized protection schemes this week, noting, “We can’t keep putting him in harm’s way like that.”