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And now, after creating so much excitement and optimism, it is time for Jaxson Dart to sit until it is his turn.

The rookie played superbly this summer, capped off by another outstanding preseason outing Thursday night, as he made his first start for the Giants.

He was Jaxson Start, but now he is Jaxson Wait, as Russell Wilson is the No. 1 quarterback for the Sept. 7 regular-season opener in Washington.

“I’m just shifting my perspective to be the best teammate that I can be,’’ Dart said. “Russ has completely earned that role for him, and he’s played amazing, he’s played elite. I want this team to win, so whatever my role is for that to happen, I’m going to do that to the best of my ability.’’

Giants coach Brian Daboll opted to give Dart his first preseason start, sending him out to face the Patriots at MetLife Stadium.

Daboll, his players and the Giants fans in attendance were not disappointed by what they saw.

There was more of the teeming potential on display that Dart has flashed all summer. There also was a lesson to be learned about protecting himself. Mostly, there was even more evidence to suggest the Giants might have gotten this selection of their quarterback of the future very right as they capped a 3-0 preseason by beating the Patriots 42-10. The Giants outscored their opponents 107-47 across the three games.

Dart immediately showed what the fuss is about with an electrifying opening salvo. 

He lined up with a full assortment of backups, as all the starters on offense were given the night off.

Dart’s first pass, inside the protection of a firm pocket, was a strike on the move as he rolled to his right, hitting Gunner Olszewski in the seam, on the move.

Olszewski did the rest on a catch-and-run that went for 50 yards. Dart then threw into the end zone, but tight end and fellow rookie Thomas Fidone couldn’t make the grab on a dive.

Dart’s third throw produced points. He drilled the ball into tight end Greg Dulcich, who beat cornerback Miles Battle in the end zone for a 7-yard touchdown.

After that, the highlights were in short supply for Dart, although he deserved better.

There was a drop by Beaux Collins and another by Jonathan Ward. Dart lobbed the ball deep on target to Jalin Hyatt, but it hit Hyatt on the shoulder.

On fourth down late in the first quarter, Daboll opted not to punt, and Dart took off on a scramble, showing his quick feet and instincts.

He raced 23 yards for the first down but did not see linebacker Jack Gibbens sprinting in from behind.

Gibbens tackled Dart, who hit the turf hard and lost the ball on a fumble.

The Giants kept possession because of a Patriots penalty, but Dart, for a moment, appeared either frustrated or shaken up and was removed from the game.

He headed into the medical tent and was soon cleared from concussion protocol — as it turns out, he got the wind knocked out of him.

When Dart exited the tent, he engaged in a prolonged discussion with Daboll, who reminded the 22-year-old to slide rather than take unnecessary risks.

“I wouldn’t coach it out of him, just certain times you got to make the right decision,’’ Daboll said. “In this particular game, it’s probably a good time to slide, third preseason game. There’s a time and place. You’d like to take as few hits as you can. I like Jaxson’s competitiveness, his toughness. Got to make the right decision.’’

Dart said he did not feel he was taking an unnecessary risk by not sliding.

“First of all, I just shouldn’t have fumbled,’’ Dart said. “I’ve never been taken out of the game for getting the air knocked out of me. I quite honestly thought I could split them. I didn’t feel I was in too much of a threat to get a big hit on me.’’

Jameis Winston replaced Dart, and on his first snap the veteran fired a strike to Hyatt for a 27-yard touchdown.

Dart was done for the evening. Facing an array of Patriots backups, he finished 6 of 12 for 81 yards and one touchdown for a passer rating of 99.7.

“I think every ball should have been complete, all but one maybe,’’ Daboll said.

In three preseason games, Dart completed 68.1 percent of his passes (32 of 47) for 372 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions. The Giants could not have asked or hoped for anything more.

“He knows he’s got a lot of things to work on, but he’s made progress every day,’’ Daboll said. “I’m glad we drafted him. I’m glad he’s our guy.’’