There was a time not too long ago when NFL first-round picks regularly engaged in holdouts, attempting to squeeze more money out of their new employers.
Often, the rookies who held out the longest were quarterbacks.
Times have changed since 2011, when the league insтιтuted a rookie wage scale.
Nowadays, the signings are pretty much formulaic, which is why Jaxson Dart putting pen to paper Friday was more about bookkeeping and timing for the Giants.
Dart signed a four-year deal for $17 million, all fully guaranteed, with $9 million included as a signing bonus.
The Giants traded up into the first round of the 2025 NFL draft, making a deal with the Texans, to select Dart at No. 25.

He broke several of Eli Manning’s pᴀssing records at Ole Miss during his three years as a starter after transferring from USC.
This spring, Dart participated in the rookie minicamp as well as the organized team activity practices with the veterans, looking impressive as far as arm strength and mobility.

The plan for the 22-year-old in his first season is to wait his turn behind veteran quarterbacks Russell Wilson (the starter) and Jameis Winston (the backup).
There are no immediate plans to get Dart on the field as a rookie, but those plans are subject to change — depending on how Wilson plays, how the offense functions, and how much winning and losing the Giants do as they navigate what, on paper, is the most difficult schedule in the league.
There is no doubt that head coach Brian Daboll is excited by the addition of Dart.
After almost every rep in practice, Daboll can be seen speaking with or instructing the youngest quarterback on the roster.