Jaxson Dart Leads Giants; Madison Beer Rumor Debunked

Jaxson Dart was named the Giants’ starter ahead of Week 4 after Russell Wilson was benched and led New York to a 21-18 upset of the previously undefeated Los Angeles Chargers, throwing and rushing for touchdowns in his NFL debut. The 22-year-old had been passed over earlier in the draft after pre-draft visits with the New Orleans Saints—who chose Kelvin Banks Jr. at No. 9—and slid until the Giants traded up to select him at No. 25. The Saints later drafted Tyler Shough and have kept Spencer Rattler as their starter, adding context to the pre-draft storyline. Ahead of New York’s Week 5 trip to the Superdome, Dart said he still carries a “chip on his shoulder,” that his visits with Saints coaches went well, and that he loves playing in New York. The game was accompanied by an off-field distraction after a digitally altered Instagram post falsely linking Dart to pop star Madison Beer—rumored to be connected to Chargers QB Justin Herbert—went viral before being debunked. Dart’s rapid promotion, the Saints’ draft choices, and the social-media drama have intensified storylines around the Giants’ matchups with both the Chargers and Saints.