Don, Hahn & Rosenberg

Hour 1: What's Next for Dart?
August 22, 2025 – ESPN New York
Featuring Alan Hahn, Peter Rosenberg

Overview

The first hour centers on the surging buzz around Giants rookie quarterback Jackson Dart following a standout preseason performance. Hosts Alan Hahn and Peter Rosenberg analyze what Dart’s emergence means for the Giants’ quarterback situation, discuss fan excitement, debate whether he should start Week 1, and compare the approach to other recent NFL QB situations. The hour rounds out with a look at the Yankees’ must-win mindset, more talk on New York’s sports landscape, and engaging listener calls.

Main Topics & Key Discussion Points

1. The Jackson Dart Preseason Hype (01:41–15:15; 19:57–40:14)

a. Energy, Excitement, and Analyzing Dart's Skillset

• The hosts marvel at the electrifying impact of Jackson Dart:
  • “He just…boy, does he tease.” – Hahn (01:41)
  • Comparing his preseason flashes to being left wanting more, likening it to a show with a dramatic encore.
  • Rosenberg parodies fan reactions: “It's the Lion King. It's your baby quarterback being held in the air for all to see.” (02:50)
  • Group chat reactions are referenced, with some already projecting Dart as “sensational”.

b. Assessing Dart’s On-Field Performance

• Rosenberg and Hahn debate the meaning behind Dart’s preseason numbers:
  • “We're jumping up and down over Dart: 6 for 12, 81 yards and a touchdown.” – Rosenberg (06:01)
  • They note multiple drops inflated the incompletions: “Call it 9 for 12, add another 50 yards…” – Rosenberg (06:10)
  • Tommy DeVito’s strong showing is used for context (“It’s all preseason…the point is, you know…” – Rosenberg, 06:10)

c. Cautious Optimism vs. Hype Train

• The show plays Chris Canty's (former Giant) audio, who now supports starting Dart:
  • Canty: “QB1, Week 1. Jackson Dart gives the Giants the best chance to win games…” (07:09)
  • Canty describes Dart’s mobility, arm talent, and ability to make special, off-script plays, arguing these separates him from Russell Wilson or any current Giants QB.
  • Hahn is wary: “That feels like a lot to put on this kid...especially with how tough the start of the season is. His head’s going to be spinning.” (08:13)
  • Rosenberg points out the Giants' need to honor their Hall-of-Fame acquisition (Russell Wilson): “You can’t bench Russell Wilson before playing a snap, Alan. You just can’t do it.” (08:38)

d. A Thoughtful Development Plan

• Both agree the Giants have a real plan for Dart’s development, in contrast to past chaos:
  • “They really do look like they have a plan…and you give credit to Dable on all this.” – Hahn (10:09)
  • Jameis Winston is lauded as a perfect backup, positive influence, and “feast or famine” player (09:27)
  • Giants fans are clamoring for Dart for “all the right reasons”—because he electrifies, not just due to expectations.

e. Drawing Parallels With Developments Elsewhere

• Conversation turns to Jets’ Justin Fields situation as the “flip side”:
  • “There is a world where if Justin Fields…isn’t going anywhere, you don’t have a season.” – Rosenberg (12:54)
  • The pressure is completely different for Fields than for Dart.

f. Giants Fans' Perspective and Fan Calls

• Multiple callers echo the hosts’ sentiments:
  • Excitement is real, but most want the Giants to develop Dart patiently rather than rush him.
  • “Jackson Dart is in the best situation as a rookie…learn from the success of Russell Wilson…and from the mistakes of Jameis Winston.” – Frank from Newark (27:46)
  • “Let it organically happen. Don’t force this guy into starting before he needs to.” – Hahn (29:28)
  • Another caller: New York overhypes, but “Dart needs to wait.” (32:27) and draws Bills/Josh Allen parallels.

g. QB Traits and The "It" Factor

• Hahn discusses what separates Dart's field presence from previous QBs:
  • “The more I’ve watched this kid, the more it just looks right.” (38:46)
  • Dart’s pocket feel and processing speed are praised:
    • “The look in his eye doesn’t look like someone lost.” – Hahn (39:59)
  • Rosenberg: “He does not take off early. He, it appears as if…he’s going through his reads and when it starts to finally cave in, he knows exactly when to slip out.” (38:08)

h. Fun Asides

• The hosts riff on Dart’s “swag” (is it “nozzle”?), current generation’s style, and contrast with past QBs. (31:27–32:11)

2. Yankees, Mets, and Must-Win Narratives (15:15–19:57; 49:44–53:21)

a. Yankees: The "Must Win" Game Debate

• Hahn argues that with Max Fried struggling and the Yankees’ playoff hopes fading, tonight vs. the Red Sox is as close to “must win” as August games can get.
  • “It’s a must win.” – Hahn (16:35)
  • Both hosts debate the meaning and urgency of this, with Rosenberg more literal (“If they lose tonight, Saturday’s must win.”) – 18:08
  • Pitching woes and bullpen failures are lamented as both see the Yankees' season teetering.

b. Mets: Identity Crisis and Pitching Philosophy

• A caller traces Mets’ struggles to abandoning their tradition of prioritizing starting pitching.
  • “What is the one identity of the Mets, especially at their best?...Starting pitching, my friend.” – Hahn (51:53)
  • Critique of Mets GM David Stearns for going against that legacy.

3. Fun, Culture & Banter

a. Snoop Dogg, Musical Generations, and Office Hijinks (24:37–26:12; 43:41–47:14)

• Rosenberg quizzes Hahn on Snoop Dogg’s “Pump Pump,” teasing him for not being as upfront with “Doggy Style”.
• Office tech misadventures (searching for “Doggy Style” on a Disney work computer) and their show's unique team chemistry:
  • “The MVP of the summer…Jacob Perry.” – Hahn (44:31)
  • Banter on sushi dates and fall rooftop hangouts.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On Dart's Preseason Impact

• [01:41] Alan Hahn: “And boy, did the Giants…like, what do we say about Jackson Dart? What do we need to see? And he just. Boy, does he tease.”
• [02:50] Peter Rosenberg: “It’s the Lion King. It’s your baby quarterback being held in the air for all to see.”
• [07:09] Chris Canty (clip): “QB1, Week 1. Jackson Dart gives the Giants the best chance to win games…”

On Not Rushing Development

• [08:13] Alan Hahn: “That feels like a lot to put on this kid, doesn’t it?...I just don’t know if right out of the gate you’re throwing them to the wolves, especially with how tough the start of the season is.”
• [10:09] Alan Hahn: “They really do look like they have a plan for this quarterback…they know exactly what they want to do with them, how they want to develop them.”

Fan Perspective

• [27:28] Frank (caller): “…all three quarterbacks in preseason…show the potential to have an explosive offense…that’s something that we hadn’t seen from Daniel Jones at all.”
• [29:28] Alan Hahn: “Let it organically happen. Don’t force this guy into starting before he needs to…and needs to is the proper way to put it.”

On the Giants’ Quarterback Atmosphere

• [38:46] Alan Hahn: “The more I’ve watched this kid, the more that just looks right…Dart doesn’t ever seem to look confused—he just understands why [a play] didn’t work.”

Yankees, Mets, and Must-Win Mindsets

• [16:34] Alan Hahn: “Must win game.”
• [18:00] Alan Hahn: “You need three. You cannot split this thing. Last night was a winnable game, but…the bullpen was trash.”
• [51:53] Alan Hahn: “Starting pitching, my friend. World Series teams had great pitching…that is now starting to bite [the Mets] right now.”

Key Timestamps for Important Segments

• 01:41 – Kickoff of Giants/Jackson Dart discussion
• 06:44 – Introduction of Chris Canty's take on Dart
• 07:09 – Canty’s clip: “QB1, Week 1”
• 08:13 – Hahn on the dangers of starting Dart too early
• 09:27–10:09 – Role of Giants’ veteran QBs and Dable’s plan
• 12:54 – Rosenberg compares Dart/Future to Justin Fields/Jets situation
• 27:28–29:28 – Caller Frank on Dart’s situation and the importance of patience
• 31:27–32:11 – Banter on Dart’s swag/generational style
• 32:18–35:34 – Caller on NY hype, parallels to Bills, Dable/McDermott debate
• 38:08–39:59 – Dart’s composure, “look in his eye,” differences vs. past QBs
• 16:34/18:00 – Yankees “must-win” debate begins
• 51:53 – Mets’ downfall traced to loss of pitching identity

Takeaways for Listeners

• Jackson Dart mania is legit—but the hosts and most callers agree the Giants should not rush him, instead sticking to their measured QB plan.
• The Giants’ approach is a welcome change from New York’s usual quarterback chaos, with Brian Dable praised for his process-driven development.
• The Yankees are in “must win” territory, though the semantics are debated; the Mets’ deviation from pitching tradition is called out as a root of their woes.
• Unique banter, music debates, and office hijinks round out the episode’s authentic, personable energy.

For fans eager for clarity, context, and a sense of New York sports’ always-simmering drama—this hour delivers both thoughtful sports insight and infectious, self-aware fun.