Ex-Ole Miss QB Jaxson Dart delivers Giants first win of the season in his NFL debut

Jaxson Dart’s debut as the New York Giants’ starting quarterback ignited hope and excitement throughout MetLife Stadium as he led his team to a nail-biting 21-18 victory over the previously unbeaten Los Angeles Chargers in Week 4 of the 2025 NFL season.

Entering Sunday’s matchup, the Giants were winless, the home crowd restless, and the pressure weighing heavily on head coach Brian Daboll. Choosing to start Dart over veteran Russell Wilson, Daboll gambled on the rookie’s potential—and his decision paid off when the final whistle blew.

The former Ole Miss QB put the cherry on top of what was an incredible weekend for Ole Miss fans following the massive win over LSU. Dart was drafted in the first round to revive a New York Giants franchise that has largely been floundering following the retirement of another Ole Miss legend, Eli Manning. Now Dart has his shot, and he is off to a really solid start.

Dart’s stat line may not leap off the page, but his play was steady and impactful. He completed 13-of-20 passes for 111 yards and threw a touchdown to tight end Theo Johnson. Dart also showcased his dual-threat abilities, rushing for 54 yards and another score on 10 carries.

In orchestrating the Giants’ opening 89-yard touchdown drive, Dart became the first rookie quarterback since Patrick Mahomes to engineer an 80+ yard TD drive on his first possession in his first career start.

More remarkably, Dart became the first quarterback in 23 years to win his starting debut against a team with a 3-0 or better record—a rare feat accomplished previously by only a handful of NFL signal-callers.

Dart’s composure under duress, especially after star receiver Malik Nabers suffered a feared season-ending ACL injury in the first half, resonated with teammates and fans alike.

Despite the adversity, Dart played error-free football, avoided turnovers, and delivered clutch plays when it mattered most. Giants defensive stars also stepped up, forcing key turnovers and keeping the Chargers’ explosive offense in check throughout the game.

Coach Daboll was animated in his postgame celebrations, praising Dart’s football intelligence and poise under pressure. After a tumultuous start to the season and mounting speculation around his future, the win offered some much-needed respite for Daboll, at least for one week.

For Jaxson Dart, this debut was “just the start,” as he reflected on the momentous victory with his family present in the stands. The Giants (1-3) now look ahead with new optimism, believing their young quarterback can change the franchise’s fortunes moving forward.

As Dart himself noted, the experience of his first NFL start was “special,” and there’s every reason to believe that New York fans might finally be witnessing the dawn of a new era under center.