Why Jaxson Dart Is Just Like a Two-Time Super Bowl Champion
New York has been filled with excitement this offseason and throughout their rebuild. Within the Giants, there have been glimpses of nostalgia appearing in certain players on the field. One of the top examples is the team's young and developing quarterback, Jaxson Dart. He may have a lot in common with former two-time Super Bowl Champion Eli Manning. However, the current young Giants quarterback resembles the 1980s two-time Super Bowl Champion Phil Simms more than fans and analysts think, and here’s how.
1. Both Became the Face of the Giants After Much Skepticism
Simms was heavily criticized when New York drafted him in the 1979 NFL Draft. Many fans thought that the Giants had wasted their high pick during the draft that year. At the time, this Giants legend was coming out of Morehead State University. This was a little too unknown a college. Both fans and analysts were skeptical because he came out of such a small school. No one knew who he was or what this draft pick was going to bring to the team. His numbers at Morehead State did not jump off the charts. Simms passed for 32 touchdowns against 45 interceptions during his four-year career.
The media in New York had questioned a lot of the team's judgment. It wasn’t until the season started that the Giants started with their current quarterback at the time, Joe Pisarcik, who was heading toward a winless season. Pisarcik was also dealing with multiple injuries at the time, and New York could no longer count on him. Before putting Simms in, Big Blue made the transition quickly, and they began to start the 1979 first-round selection, who started with five wins during his first games of the season that year and eventually played well enough on the team that he led New York to two Super Bowls in the 1980s.
Today, the Giants’ current quarterback, Dart, seems to be following in Simms' footsteps. This former Mississippi quarterback came out of nowhere for New York during the 2025 NFL Draft. Many were skeptical about bringing in this new quarterback. Many had hoped they would go with Cam Ward and draft him; however, it was surprising for many to see the Giants pick Dart. Many fans were disappointed with him at first, just as they were with Simms. The first-round pick threw a pick-six as his first pass during his first practice during rookie training camp of the 2025 season, and when he came to the field to cover for former Super Bowl Champion Russell Wilson, he was not ready at the time. Though Daboll spent time with him, the Ole Miss product was able to start pulling wins when the team actually started him to allow him to play a whole game.
2. Natural Leadership Qualities
Simms was an unquestioned natural leader when he was playing with the team. The former first-round pick often led the team, allowing them to score where they needed to. The former two-time Super Bowl Champion never backed away from adversity. Simms never allowed the boos and the questioning of Big Blue’s pick to bother him; he eventually earned the respect in the locker room. The veteran signal-caller also allowed himself to get hit when it was needed, and he held his team accountable when plays went wrong in games.
Dart is the same way as Simms when it comes to being a natural leader for Big Blue. The team is comfortable with having him in the locker room and has earned their respect in his own way. He runs into plays and gets hit when he needs to, just as the former Giant did back in the day. The franchise's hopeful quarterback knows what to expect from his team and works with them to make plays better than they should have been. This young quarterback also has made himself very dependable in New York for everyone who plays for him on the offensive line.
3. Strong Arms and a Willingness to Attack Downfield
Simms was the type of player who dealt with plenty of tough plays during his days of being a Giant. He had a strong arm that allowed him to figure out how to get the ball out quickly and efficiently. This former Giant was known for making difficult throws. It was a strong quality that most quarterbacks struggle with today. He was the type of player who made these types of plays explosive back in the 80s, when most quarterbacks were unable to pull this off.
Dart has the same knowledge that the franchise icon does and is smart enough to figure out how to get the ball out when it is needed. It was his arm talent that caused the Giants to make the trade back that they did when they drafted him. This former Mississippi quarterback shows the willingness to push the ball vertically when it needs to be. He has the strength and the willingness to do it. He just needs to have the players that are able to do it; his arm is able to pull off just as many explosive plays as the former Giants legend did.
The only areas that set these two really apart are the mobility and playing style. Dart is a much better runner, and he is a complete dual threat. As for Simms, he normally won primarily from the pocket. The former NFL quarterback was the classic passer, and the young quarterback thrives when plays break down and he can make moves outside of the pocket. The last difference is the era that the two are both living in; the former Morehead quarterback absorbed far more punishment by taking hits. This young quarterback is playing in a time where the league is very much emphasizing spreading concepts, quarterback movement, and protecting passers. If Dart can develop into a consistent pocket passer that the original two-time Super Bowl Champion was, both Giants fans and analysts may end up viewing him as the franchise’s best quarterback since Simms himself.
