He actually did it. Joe Schoen finally pulled the trigger on a first-round quarterback, and honestly, the vibes around MetLife Stadium haven't been this weirdly optimistic in years.
Jaxson Dart is the guy.
The New York Giants quarterback situation has been a literal carousel for the better part of a decade. We’ve watched Daniel Jones try his best, Tommy DeVito become a sandwich-themed folk hero, and even a brief, fever-dream stint with Russell Wilson that ended about as well as a screen door on a submarine. But as we head into the 2026 offseason, the narrative has shifted from "Who can we get?" to "How far can Dart take us?"
If you haven't been following closely, the Giants traded back into the first round of the 2025 draft to snag Dart at No. 25 overall. It was a gutsy move that cost them a 2026 third-rounder, but after watching him close out the 2025 season with back-to-back wins, nobody in the front office is losing sleep over that pick anymore.
The Russell Wilson "Bridge" That Collapsed
Before we talk about the future, we have to acknowledge the absolute train wreck that was the start of the 2025 season. The plan was simple: Russell Wilson would start, keep the seat warm, and let the rookie Jaxson Dart marinate on the bench.
It didn't happen.
Wilson didn't even last a month. Despite some decent "garbage time" stats—including a 400-yard game against Dallas that he’s still talking about to anyone who will listen—he just didn't have the juice. The Giants offense looked stagnant. It looked old. When Brian Daboll finally pulled the plug and inserted Dart, the change was instant.
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Wilson is now eyeing a job elsewhere for 2026, probably as a backup. His time in New York will be remembered as a footnote, a failed experiment that ironically accelerated the start of the Dart era.
Why Jaxson Dart is Actually Different
Most people look at a rookie and see potential. With Dart, the Giants see a guy who already broke Eli Manning’s passing records at Ole Miss. That matters in a town like this.
He’s got this "hates to lose" energy that is kinda infectious. After the season finale against the Cowboys—a game that didn't mean much for the standings but meant everything for the culture—Dart basically told reporters that the losing culture in East Rutherford is over.
"There’s no other option," Dart said. "I’m not going to lead in a way that doesn’t have the highest expectation."
That’s not just PR speak. You can see it in how he plays. He’s fearless. Sometimes too fearless. He took some massive shots in 2025 that made the coaching staff cringe, but that’s the trade-off for a guy who led the FBS in yards per attempt (10.8) during his final college year.
The Stats That Actually Matter
While the raw numbers from his rookie year are a bit skewed because he didn't start the full season, the "eye test" tells the real story:
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- Decisiveness: Unlike the late-era Daniel Jones years where the ball seemed to stick in the QB's hand, Dart gets it out.
- Mobility: He’s not a track star, but he’s a "competitive runner." He scrambles to throw, not just to survive.
- The Deep Ball: He isn't afraid to stretch the field. With Malik Nabers—who should be back at 100% soon—the vertical threat is finally real.
The Ghost of Daniel Jones
It’s wild to think that Daniel Jones is still technically in the mix of NFL conversations, just not in New York. He spent 2025 with the Indianapolis Colts, where he actually looked great until he tore his Achilles in Week 14.
The Giants have moved on. They had to. The $160 million contract was a weight around the neck of the franchise, and while Jones was a "pro’s pro," the production never matched the paycheck. Seeing him succeed in Indy (before the injury) just proves that the Giants' environment was part of the problem.
But here’s the thing: Dart is entering a much better situation than Jones ever had.
Building the 2026 Roster Around the Kid
The Giants aren't just crossing their fingers and hoping Dart works out. They are actually building.
They have the No. 3 overall pick from 2025, Abdul Carter, who is already looking like a perennial Pro Bowler on the edge. You’ve got Dexter Lawrence anchored in the middle. You’ve got Kayvon Thibodeaux. The defense is, frankly, terrifying.
The offensive side is where the questions remain. Malik Nabers is a superstar, but he needs help. The loss of Cam Skattebo to injury during the 2025 season hurt the run game significantly. If the Giants want Dart to succeed in 2026, they need to:
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- Find a permanent Head Coach: With the Daboll era likely ending or undergoing a massive shift, the next hire is the most important decision for Dart’s career.
- Protect the blind side: Dart likes to hold the ball a split second longer to find the deep shot. That requires an elite line.
- Upgrade the RB room: Skattebo is a bruiser, but the Giants need a versatile 3rd-down back to give Dart an easy exit ramp.
What to Expect in 2026
The Giants are currently being called the "2026 version of the Patriots"—a team that could go from bottom-feeder to playoff contender in one leap. Is that realistic?
Maybe.
The NFC East is always a mess. Dallas is aging. Philly is Philly. If Dart takes the "Year 2 Leap" that we see from guys like Joe Burrow or C.J. Stroud, 9 or 10 wins isn't a pipe dream.
He’s already showing the leadership. He’s already got the arm. Now he just needs the stability.
Next Steps for Giants Fans:
- Watch the Coaching Search: The rumor mill is swirling around names like John Harbaugh. A heavy-hitter coach would signal that the Giants are "all-in" on Dart’s window.
- Monitor Malik Nabers' Recovery: The Dart-to-Nabers connection is the engine of this offense. Their chemistry in training camp will be the biggest storyline of the summer.
- Check the Salary Cap: With the veteran QB contracts finally off the books, the Giants have room to be aggressive in free agency to bolster the offensive line.