ORCHARD PARK — Take your pick of the most impressive thing that Giants rookie Jaxson Dart did in his NFL debut. 

Was it the perfect leading placement that he showed on a 29-yard touchdown pass? 

Was it the fearless way that he stood in the pocket against pressure coming in his face and delivered that same scoring strike to Lil’Jordan Humphrey? 

“I’m comfortable sitting in there when the pressure gets in,” Dart said of his signature throw Saturday in the Giants’ 34-25 preseason-opening victory against the Bills. “I knew the opportunity we were going to have — one-on-one — and L.J. went over the top. A lot of times, those are some of the biggest plays in games: In split seconds when you are about to get hit.” 

If not that play, was it the athletic way he used his legs for a 19-yard scramble? 

Jaxson Dart of the New York Giants throws a pass during the first quarter of an NFL Preseason 2025 at Highmark Stadium on August 9, 2025 in Orchard Park, New York. Getty Images

Or the smooth way he operated the offense on three scoring drives, the last two of which might have been for seven points instead of three if not for a couple of third-down drops? 

All of it was encouraging for the future of the Giants, who turned to Dart over Jameis Winston as the first quarterback off the bench behind Russell Wilson. 

“About what I thought he would do: Efficient, effective, aggressive, confident in the pocket,” head coach Brian Daboll said. “We’ve got a long way to go, but I enjoy working with him.” 

With the NFL world still buzzing about Shedeur Sanders’ debut for the Browns on Friday night, Dart — the quarterback that the Giants pivoted to late in the draft process as Sanders stunningly slid all the way to the fifth round — went 12-of-19 for 154 yards and a touchdown to finish with a 106.0 rating. 

“He was darting it up,” running back Dante Miller told The Post. “I’m not surprised. He’s a dawg, and dawgs do what dawgs do.” 

Dart’s first series against the starting defense resulted in one first down and a punt, but he found his rhythm against the Bills backups. 

New York Giants wide receiver Lil’Jordan Humphrey (81) catches a pass for a touchdown against Buffalo Bills cornerback Dane Jackson (23) during the first half at Highmark Stadium. Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images

The No. 25 pick in the draft went 3-for-4 on his 80-yard touchdown drive, including catch-and-runs by Miller (18 yards) and Montrell Washington (28 yards). Miller and Washington are each threats to steal 53-man roster spots. 

After his fade down the right sideline was tipped at the line of scrimmage and nearly intercepted — a big swing in his day — Dart went right back to a similar throw down the opposite sideline. 

Dart hung in the pocket and released the ball just before T.J. Sanders drilled him in the mouth. He popped to his feet and excitedly slapped helmets to let the celebration begin. 

Brian Daboll (r) and Jaxson Dart (l) celebrate. AP

“We saw that on tape at Ole Miss,” Daboll said. “He did that for a long time there. He’s tough. He’s got good moxie.” 

Dart, 22, wasn’t done dealing or dashing. He had a 19-yard scramble — and (gulp!) didn’t slide — to set up a field goal as part of a three-carry, 24-yard day with his legs. 

“I think Dabes likes it, to be honest,” Dart said of his fearlessness as a runner. “It was more my teammates like, ‘We don’t need to see you take any of those extra shots.’ ” 

New York Giants quarterback Jaxon Dart (6) throws the ball during the first half at Highmark Stadium. Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images

There were few signs of Dart holding the ball for too long, as he has at times during training camp. Instead, before he was replaced by Winston out of halftime, Dart was decisive and was able to shuffle his feet to extend plays and open throwing windows like he did on an 18-yard catch by Washington during the two-minute drill. 

And yet Dart assessed his own performance “mid” — as in so-so — when talking to Daboll. 

“I just felt like the only reason we stopped ourselves from scoring touchdowns was some of those third downs,” Dart said. “Personally, I’m really hard on myself, so I want to capitalize on those moments. Those possessions in crunch-time situations determine the outcomes of games. I feel like I can do a lot more.” 

What now? 

New York Giants quarterback Jaxon Dart (6) hands the ball off to running back Dante Miller (25) during the first half against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Well, one crowd will temper the excitement and point out that the departed Daniel Jones was good in his preseason debut — 5-of-5 for 67 yards and a touchdown — and even better in his first regular-season start when he led a fourth-quarter comeback victory against the Buccaneers with a four-touchdown (two passing, two rushing) performance. 

Others will be clamoring for the Giants to open up a quarterback competition and give Dart a more legitimate chance to be the starter over Russell Wilson, who was named the starter after signing in free agency and before a single spring workout. There is no evidence that the Giants would even consider that possibility, especially given the high internal reviews of Wilson’s training camp and his 12-play scoring drive to start Saturday’s game. 

“He’s someone that I enjoy coaching,” Daboll said of Dart. “He’s pretty hard on himself.”