Giants great Tiki Barber has predicted when quarterback Jaxson Dart could take over the starting job – as he compared the rookie passer to Bills MVP Josh Allen in one key area.
Russell Wilson endured a difficult first start for Big Blue in the team’s Week 1 loss to Washington, with head coach Brian Daboll forced to confirm afterwards that the 36-year-old would remain the team’s starter. The team reportedly even prepared a package of plays for Dart ahead of their eventual 21-6 loss to the Commanders, which he did not appear in.
And while Wilson will lead the Giants into Dallas for Week 2, Barber believes he needs to get in the win column – and fast.
‘It’s gonna be interesting. So much of it’s gonna depend on the direction of the team, wins and losses wise,’ he exclusively told the Daily Mail from DAZN’s football season kickoff party ahead of Week 1.
He continued: ‘If Russ is winning, then he’s gonna play. If the season gets away from from us, then you might start to see Jaxson Dart inch his way in. I think the beauty of [Daboll] and this organization putting him as the backup quarterback, that allows them, if games get out of hand early – one way or the other – to maybe get [him] on the field and see some action.’
Dart made a strong impression in the preseason as he totaled 372 passing yards and three touchdowns across three games. But, perhaps more importantly, he’s established a strong relationship with his teammates, who have gravitated towards the 22-year-old’s infectious energy and ‘aura.’
Some fans are already clamoring to see Jaxson Dart (left) play after Russell Wilson struggled in his debut
And Tiki Barber, seen at the DAZN NYC 2025 Football Season Kickoff Party, believes the Giants could turn to Dart if the team isn’t winning with Wilson
‘Guys cling to him,’ assistant GM Brandon Brown previously told reporters.
It’s in that way that Barber – the franchise’s all-time leading rusher – sees similarities between Dart, Allen and Ravens star Lamar Jackson.
‘Leadership is either innate or you can learn it. And I think that Jaxson has it. And so there’s a presence that you feel. It’s a cockiness that is not cocky if that makes sense,’ Barber began.
‘You feel comfortable around him, and relatable. And some of the best quarterbacks that I’ve seen over the last couple of years calling games – Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson – that’s exactly how they are.
‘It doesn’t matter if you’re talking to the black offensive lineman or the white country boys playing linebacker. He had a relationship with everybody. Having that people skill, I think it’s so critical when you are gonna be the leader. And at some point, Jaxson Dart as the future, is gonna be the guy. So I like his personality.’
Barber even compared Dart to Bills MVP Josh Allen (above) due to his leadership abilities
Dart has been a huge hit with teammates since the Giants drafted him this past spring
Following Wilson’s 17-of-37 passing performance against the Commanders, the Giants have now lost their season opener for the third straight year, with a brutal stretch against the Cowboys, Chiefs and Chargers approaching in the next month.
Barber isn’t sure how many games his former franchise will ultimately win this season, but feels this group absolutely has more talent than the squad which went just 3-14 last year.
‘With the remade quarterback room, with the remade secondary, with the pass rushing, the talent that’s there – interior and exterior on the edges with Abdul Carter – you see the plan,’ he said.
‘And I give [general manager] Joe Schoen a lot of credit, because this year he drafted football players, like dudes who you want to get in foxholes with. And I think that’s important, because that’s what the game ultimately always will be.’
The Giants will hope those players lead them to a win on Sunday in Dallas.
