The New York Giants raised eyebrows during the NFL Draft when they traded up to select quarterback Jaxson Dart in the first round, Fox News reports.
While Dart had been loosely connected to the team prior to the draft, the move signaled a strong commitment from New York to the former Ole Miss standout.
Dart, who wore No. 2 in college, quickly ran into a familiar rookie dilemma — his preferred jersey number was already taken. Cornerback Deonte Banks currently wears No. 2, having switched from No. 3 after a private deal earlier this year with veteran quarterback Russell Wilson.
Dart initially looked into reclaiming the number but decided the price wasn’t worth it. Laughing in a recent interview, the 22-year-old simply said, “Yeah, it’s too much.”
Rookie pay scales are now fixed under the NFL’s latest collective bargaining agreement, so Dart’s earnings are largely predetermined. As the 25th overall pick, he is expected to earn approximately $16.9 million over four years, including a signing bonus around $9 million.
For now, Dart has settled into the No. 6 jersey during rookie minicamp and hasn’t ruled out keeping it.
Last season, the No. 2 jersey was worn by quarterback Drew Lock during his brief stint with the Giants before he signed with another team.
As the Giants prepare for the upcoming season, Dart’s jersey number might still change — but it looks like No. 6 is here to stay, at least for now.
