New York Giants rookie Jaxson Dart can't wait to play on Monday Night Football.
The New York Giants face the New England Patriots on Monday Night Football and Jaxson Dart is super pumped to make his ESPN debut.
Dart is back in the lineup after missing the previous two games with a concussion.
"I'm ready. I've been waiting for it," Dart said after practice on Friday. "Obviously these primetime games are the ones you have circled on your calendar. I'm excited to go out there, compete at a high level and do everything in my power to rally these guys to put our team in the best situation when the clock hits zero that we're going to come out with a win."
Dart has thrown for 1,417 yards, 10 touchdowns and three interceptions and rushed for 317 yards and seven touchdowns this season.
Against the Chicago Bears in Week 10, Dart was checked for a concussion for the fourth time this season, including the preseason. He didn't play in Week 11 against the Green Bay Packers or Week 12 against the Detroit Lions.
New York fired Brian Daboll after the Chicago game, and according to NFL insider Jordan Raanan of ESPN, Daboll's approach with Dart played a role in him losing his job.
"Moving forward, I have to be more available for this team," Dart said. "This is obviously on the forefront of my mind moving forward. ... I'm still getting used to this game. I'm getting used to this speed, this level.
"In college, you can watch my tape, I very rarely slid. This is a different beast. For me, I have to obviously be more responsible when I'm in the open field. But I felt I was getting better at it each and every week."
New York already lost rookie stud Cam Skattebo to a season-ending injury. The last thing they need is for Dart to get hurt as well.
With that said, it will be fascinating to see if Dart protects himself more under interim head coach Mike Kafka.
The Giants will miss the playoffs again this season, but at least they won't need to draft a quarterback in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft.