The jersey was a size too big and the game was a blowout, but none of that mattered. Nine-year-old Jaxson Dart sat in front of the TV in a Russell Wilson Seahawks kit. He wasn’t just a fan; he was a believer—wide-eyed, dreaming. Fast forward to 2025, and that same kid is now on the New York Giants, trading throws and texts with the very quarterback he once idolized. The kid in the Wilson jersey? He’s now a teammate.

Among quarterbacks known for lifting up their teammates, Russell Wilson belongs in the first tier. From helping DK Metcalf score a moment with Normani to regularly shouting out his Steelers teammates last season, Wilson has always been big on brotherhood. Now with the New York Giants, that ethos hasn’t changed—and rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart just became the latest recipient of Wilson’s signature generosity.

Speaking to reporters after the first day of rookie minicamp on May 9, Dart revealed a moment that immediately set the tone in the Giants’ quarterback room. “They were some of the first people to text me when I got drafted,” he said, referring to Wilson and Jameis Winston. “And I thought that was just super cool. Those are guys I’ve looked up to for such a long time.”

That connection runs deeper than most might know. Dart has spoken in the past about wearing a Russell Wilson jersey while watching the Seahawks dominate the Broncos in Super Bowl XLVIII. One of his earliest football memories? Rooting for Mr. Unlimited. The full-circle moment wasn’t lost on him.

Now, years later, Dart finds himself learning from the man he once idolized, alongside Winston, a decade-long NFL veteran. It’s a crowded quarterback room, but not without chemistry—and respect.

NY Giants jumped places to draft Russell Wilson’s competition

The Giants’ 2025 offseason has been anything but predictable. First came the signing of Russell Wilson, followed by Jameis Winston. The assumption? Quarterback room: set. But general manager Joe Schoen and head coach Brian Daboll weren’t done yet.

Though they held a comfortable third pick in the first round, they opted for Penn State edge rusher Abdul Carter. Still, Daboll and Schoen had their eye on a quarterback—and weren’t afraid to make a move. They traded up with the Texans, giving away picks No. 34 and 99 in this year’s draft, plus a third-rounder in 2026, to jump into the 25th overall spot. Their pick: Jaxson Dart. And yes, that meant passing on Shedeur Sanders, who shockingly slid to the fifth round. Turns out, they might end up getting sued for the Sanders draft-slide saga. But, in their eyes, that probably only confirms that they made the right choice.

While Daboll has already declared Russell Wilson the QB1 heading into the season—a contrast to how Mike Tomlin handled Wilson’s start in Pittsburgh last year—there’s no mistaking the Giants’ long-term investment in Dart. The message is clear: the future is being groomed in real time, not waiting in the wings.

For now, Dart has embraced his learner’s role. His childhood hero is now a mentor, and his focus is on absorbing everything he can. “That’s kind of my mindset,” he said of Wilson and Eli Manning, another legend he hopes to learn from. “I’m excited to continue to grow my relationship with them.”

The Giants may have packed their QB room tighter than a goal-line stand, but it’s not dysfunction—it’s design. With Wilson set to lead, Winston backing up, and Dart developing behind the scenes, the Giants have the rare opportunity to blend mentorship, competition, and succession planning all in one season. And as for Dart? He’s already shown poise, curiosity, and the humility to learn from greatness. That’s not just a rookie mindset—it’s the foundation of something bigger.