New York loves players with attitude. The Giants have been lifeless for years. Boring. Predictable. Easy to beat.
Then two rookies showed up. Jaxson Dart and Cam Skattebo brought something the Giants haven’t had in forever—swagger.
Some call it cocky. Others call it moxie. The truth? It doesn’t matter what you call it. It’s working.
Here’s how these two rookies are changing everything in New York.
Who Are Jaxson Dart and Cam Skattebo?
Jaxson Dart: The Confident Quarterback
The New York Giants’ 2025 draft class included some stellar rookies out of Ole Miss and Arizona State in quarterback Jaxson Dart and running back Cam Skattebo.
Dart was the 25th overall pick. First-round talent with first-round confidence.
He wasn’t supposed to start Week 4. The plan was to sit behind Russell Wilson and learn.
But plans change when you’re 0-3 and desperate.
Cam Skattebo: The Trash-Talking Running Back
Cam Skattebo has a passion for turning opposition defenders into ashes. That has earned him a reputation around league circles.
The Giants grabbed him in the fourth round. Arizona State product. Built like a tank. Plays like one too.
“I told you I’m gonna run through his f—–g face!” Skattebo shouted at Dart on the sidelines. “I got you!” he added, as the QB dapped him up.
That was after Skattebo threw a massive block for Dart’s first NFL touchdown.
This is who these guys are. Loud. Confident. Unapologetic.
The Instant Chemistry
The New York Giants rookie duo of Jaxson Dart and Cam Skattebo didn’t need to exchange a lot of words to forge a strong bond after being selected by the team in the 2025 NFL draft.
Dart described their first meeting perfectly.
“We said 3 words… and just head-butted”.
That’s it. Three words. One head-butt. Instant brotherhood.
The budding friendship between the Giants’ new QB and RB is reshaping the offense midway through the season. They don’t just play together. They feed off each other’s energy.
How They’ve Transformed the Giants
Before Dart and Skattebo
RecordOffenseEnergy Level 0-3 Stagnant Dead Scoring Anemic Non-existent Fan Interest Low Rock bottom.
The season looked over before October.
After Dart and Skattebo Took Over
After stumbling to a 0-3 start, the team turned to rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart and running back Cam Skattebo, and the result was a 21-18 win over the Chargers that felt like more than just a number in the standings. It felt like a turning point.
Suddenly, the Giants had life.
Week 4 vs. Chargers:
- Dart’s first NFL start
- Giants’ first win of 2025
- The beginning of something different
Thursday Night vs. Eagles: Dart, who went 17-of-25 for 195 yards, got it started with a 20-yard rushing touchdown and had a perfect 35-yard touchdown pass to Wan’Dale Robinson, giving New York an early 10-point advantage.
Skattebo, who finished with 19 carries for 98 yards, closed this lopsided win over the defending Super Bowl champions with three consecutive rushing touchdowns.
They beat the Eagles 34-17. The defending Super Bowl champions.
Let that sink in.
The “Cocky” Label
Jaxson Dart and Cam Skattebo play with a confidence that may rub some the wrong way but the pair perfectly embodies New York’s edge.
Here’s the thing about confidence in the NFL. People love it when you win. They hate it when you don’t.
Baker Mayfield explained it perfectly. “Early on in my career, it’s looked at as ‘cocky, immature.’ Now it’s ‘moxie’ and ‘he’s a dog.’ Same s—, different day. As long as you play well, they change the narrative”.
Dart high-fived a referee when he correctly called Skattebo’s touchdown. Some people thought it was disrespectful.
Giants fans? They loved it.
That’s New York. You better bring attitude or get eaten alive.
What Makes Them Different
Jaxson Dart’s Confidence
TraitExampleFearlessRushing touchdowns against NFL defensesVocalCelebrates openly with teammatesPoised17-of-25 passing against defending champsLeaderTeam rallies around his energy
This is the fourth consecutive week a Giants rookie has been nominated for the honor. He’s making plays. He’s making noise. He’s making believers.
Cam Skattebo’s Intensity
The energetic Skattebo has added a new element to the Giants, who need every bit of change ahead of Thursday night’s matchup with the Philadelphia Eagles.
Skattebo doesn’t just run the ball. He punishes defenders. He talks trash before, during, and after every play.
Saints veteran linebacker Demario Davis loved Skattebo’s trash talking and intensity on the field.
Even opponents respect his approach.
The Bumps in the Road
It hasn’t been perfect. Rookies make mistakes.
Week 5 vs. Saints: The Giants looked like they were building toward their second straight victory keyed by their young talent. Until they weren’t.
Fumbles happened. The Saints got their first win.
Skattebo took it hard. New York Giants running back Cam Skattebo took to social media following his costly Week 5 fumble.
He apologized publicly. That’s character.
The New York Giants had a Week 5 collapse filled with rookie mistakes, but one response from a young running back stood out the most.
The team immediately backed him. That’s family.
Why New York Needs This
The Giants Identity Crisis
For years, the Giants had no personality. They were just… there.
Losing became expected. Boring became normal.
The New York Edge
The pair perfectly embodies New York’s edge. New York doesn’t want humble. New York wants hungry. Dart and Skattebo play like they have something to prove. Because they do.
Performance Breakdown
Jaxson Dart Stats (First 3 Starts)
Category Performance Completion %Efficient passer Touchdowns Multiple rushing and passing. Leadership Team rallies around himClutch Factor defending Super Bowl champs
Cam Skattebo Impact
CategoryImpactRushing Yards98 vs Eagles aloneTouchdowns3 straight vs EaglesIntensityChanges team energyChemistryPerfect fit with Dart
What Coaches Are Saying
Brian Daboll has embraced everything about these rookies.
With how protective coach Brian Daboll has been of his prized rookie signal-caller, there’s not a chance the Giants are going to let the outside perception influence how they view Dart.
Daboll isn’t asking them to tone it down. He’s encouraging them to be themselves.
Daboll has had no issue with this, and leaning into that character trait will help him keep his job and move the arrow upward on the Giants’ future. Smart coaches know confidence wins games.
The Bottom Line
The Giants are 2-4. They’re not playoff contenders yet.
But something changed when Dart and Skattebo took over.
The Giants have found their identity, one that has revolved around the rookie tandem of Dart and bruising running back Cam Skattebo.
They’re not scared. They’re not apologizing. They’re playing with the edge New York demands.
Call them cocky if you want. Call them immature. Call them whatever makes you feel better.
Just don’t call them boring. Actually, there is a bigger jolt. It’s the cocky rookie quarterback who’s making dynamic plays.
New York finally has its swagger back. And it’s wearing numbers 6 and 44.
The question isn’t whether Dart and Skattebo are too confident. The question is: why did it take so long for the Giants to find players like this?
