Giants surge in preseason debut

A Giants rookie quarterback earns praise after a strong preseason debut and a touching moment with his mother.

Giants Jaxson Dart shines in NFL debut and a hug with his mom

New York opened the preseason with a 34-25 win over the Bills in Orchard Park. Jaxson Dart, the 25th overall pick, went 12 of 19 for 159 yards with a touchdown. He connected with Lil Jordan Humphrey for a 29-yard score to put the Giants up 10-0. Dart showed poise under pressure and remained in the game after the starting drive by Russell Wilson.

After the game, Dart hugged his mom Kara in the stands, a moment captured on social media and a reminder of the human side of a top draft pick. The Giants drafted him 25th overall in April to be part of a longer learning arc. Coach Brian Daboll said the game showed progress but also room for improvement. The team now has a week to fine tune before a matchup with the Jets at MetLife. The storyline around the 22-year-old quarterback is already drawing attention from fans and scouts, not just for the play but for the promise a young passer represents for a franchise seeking stability.

Preseason play often shapes expectations more than the regular season results. Dart flashed accuracy on several throws and maintained composure as pressure mounted, signaling that the team’s plan to groom him could be working. New York is juggling a veteran option in Wilson with a high draft pick, a dynamic that tests coaching patience and the pace of development.

That moment with his mother adds a human layer to the rookie narrative. Public attention can fuel a player’s ascent, but it also raises the stakes. The Giants must balance meaningful reps with protection from overload, letting Dart grow game by game rather than through highlight reels. The next test, a week from now against the Jets, will be telling about whether this debut is a glimpse or a turning point.

Highlights

Family moments can shape public narratives as much as on field play.