New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart made significant progress in the team’s 28-20 season-opening victory over the Dallas Cowboys, showcasing marked improvement in his second NFL season. Dart’s performance, highlighted by a combination of efficient passing and effective rushing, drew praise from coaches and set a positive tone as the Giants prepare for a challenging upcoming schedule.

Dart, 23, became the first NFL player to register at least three touchdown passes, a passer rating above 130, and 50 or more rushing yards in a season opener. He completed 13 career starts with a passer rating of 134.2 in this game, a personal best. Dart connected twice on touchdown passes to tight end Isaiah Likely and once to running back Devin Singletary while rushing for 54 yards.

Quarterbacks coach and passing game coordinator Brian Callahan credited Dart’s willingness to work hard for his improved performance. “It was really encouraging to see him play like that,” Callahan said. “Now the key for us is how do we do it again.”

The Giants, under new head coach John Harbaugh, have emphasized advancing Dart’s abilities both under center and from the pocket as a major offseason focus. Harbaugh expressed confidence that the team would build upon the strong start. “You have to improve to have a chance to be successful next week,” he said, dismissing concerns about a potential letdown.

The Week 2 game presents a significant test for Dart and the Giants, who will face the Los Angeles Rams on the road. The Rams, led by veteran quarterback Matthew Stafford, are considered one of the league’s stronger contenders despite a disappointing loss in their season opener in Australia. Stafford, who has a 46-29 record over six years with the Rams and a career total of 120 wins as a starter, brings a level of consistent performance the Giants hope Dart can emulate over time.

Dart acknowledged the difficulty of the upcoming matchup. “It’s going to be a great test for our team,” he said. “The players that they have on their team, some really, really good guys. So, we believe that we have really good guys too.”

Having started the season with a win, the Giants aim to continue their momentum in the face of a demanding schedule. For Dart, the challenge moving forward will be maintaining the level of play he displayed against Dallas as the Giants seek to establish themselves early in the 2026 NFL season.