Jaxson Dart hasn’t taken a single snap in an NFL game yet, but the rookie quarterback is already getting his first taste of pro-level intensity — thanks to edge rusher Brian Burns.
While speaking with GiantsWire, Dart revealed that the speed of the game is starting to hit him, especially after a recent encounter with the two-time Pro Bowler. “I don’t think I’ve had the full experience yet,” Dart said, “but I’ve had a little taste with Brian Burns chasing me. We had a read-option play, and his ability to close in on me was kind of crazy.”
It’s no shock that Dart is realizing just how big the jump is from college to the NFL. Burns, a 2019 first-round pick from Florida State, has been one of the league’s more consistent edge rushers. In his time with the Panthers, he notched 46 sacks and nearly 250 tackles over 80 games, including back-to-back Pro Bowl seasons in 2021 and 2022. Last season, after being franchise-tagged by Carolina, he was dealt to the Giants, who rewarded him with a five-year contract. Burns delivered again, posting 8.5 sacks and 71 tackles across 17 games in 2024.
Now he’s not only expected to be a difference-maker on Sundays but also a measuring stick for New York’s young talent — Dart included.
Dart, who spent one year at USC and three at Ole Miss, was drafted with the long-term vision of becoming the Giants’ starting quarterback. But for now, he sits behind veterans Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston. That makes training camp and preseason reps vital to his development. Getting chased down by a top-tier pass rusher like Burns may be humbling, but it’s also the kind of trial-by-fire that can accelerate his growth.
As the Giants aim to climb back into NFC contention, they’re leaning on veterans to set the tone. For Dart, those early wake-up calls in practice — like a blur off the edge wearing No. 0 — are part of the NFL education.
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