Russell Wilson and Jaxson Dart show promise in Giants' 34-25 preseason win at Bills | TribLIVE.com
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Russell Wilson and Jaxson Dart show promise in Giants' 34-25 preseason win at Bills

Associated Press
| Saturday, August 9, 2025 6:48 p.m.
AP
Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart throws a pass during the first half of Saturday’s preseason game against Buffalo.

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — Promising but far from perfect was rookie first-round draft pick Jaxson Dart’s assessment of making his preseason debut at quarterback in the New York Giants’ 34-25 win over the Buffalo Bills on Saturday.

“There’s definitely moments where I feel like I did some good stuff, but I’m excited to look back on the tape and look at the things I can clean up,” the 22-year-old said following an outing in which he led three scoring drives — two field goals and a touchdown — on four first-half possessions.

“I just felt like the only reason that we stopped ourselves from scoring touchdowns were just some of those third downs and not converting. I feel like, personally, I’m really hard on myself, so in those moments I want to capitalize on that.”

The outing, overall, provided the Giants an encouraging glimpse into not only their future, with Dart, but also their present with veteran Russell Wilson also making his playing debut.

The 36-year-old Wilson — New York’s anticipated season-opening starter who spent last season with the Pittsburgh Steelers — was efficient in running the Giants’ quick-strike passing attack by going 6 of 7 for 28 yards in an opening drive that with Graham Gano’s 53-yard field goal.

Dart — New York’s starter in waiting — closed the half by displaying his arm strength and mobility. He finished 12 of 19 for 154 yards, including a 29-yard touchdown pass to Lil’Jordan Humphrey, while adding three carries for 24 yards.

Coach Brian Daboll said very little surprised him about Dart’s poise and decision-making because he has seen it already in practice.

“That’s about what I thought he would do. Efficient, effective, aggressive, confident in the pocket,” Daboll said. “Some stuff we can work on, but he’s doing good.”

Giants third stringer Jameis Winston led three second-half possessions and went 7 of 11 for 62 yards, including a 7-yard touchdown to Gunner Olszewski. Tommy DeVito mopped up by going 10 of 14 for 73 yards and a 8-yard touchdown to Jonathan Ward.

Otherwise the focus was on Dart’s outing.

His touchdown capped a seven-play, 80-yard drive with a perfectly placed pass to Humphrey, who brought in the contested ball in stride at the goal line, a step ahead of defender Dane Jackson.

Dart showed off his running ability on a 19-yard scramble. And he played without fear on a run-pass-option call in which he faked a handoff to Devin Singletary, stepped aside to avoid oncoming rusher Michael Hoecht, before completing a pass to Greg Dulcich, who was tackled for no gain.

“He’s a confident young player,” Daboll said. “He’s improved since he’s been here. Still got a long way to go, but I enjoy working with him.”

This is what the Giants were counting on in signing Wilson, now on his fourth team in 14 years, and trading three draft picks to move back into the first round to select Dart 25th overall.

New York is starting from scratch at quarterback following a 3-14 record and an offense that finished 30th in the NFL in yards per play and 31st in averaging 10 points per outing.

For the Bill, primary backup Mitch Trubisky, also a former Steeler, went 9 of 13 for 138 yards, including an 11-yard touchdown to Dawson Knox in playing the entire first half.


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