If you haven't been keeping a close eye on MetLife Stadium lately, the jersey situation in the stands probably looks like a chaotic timeline of "what ifs." You’ve got the old Eli Manning 10s, a few lingering Daniel Jones 8s, and then this sudden, massive wave of number 6. That’s Jaxson Dart.
The Ole Miss product isn't just a name on the depth chart anymore; he's basically the guy holding the keys to the franchise.
It feels like just yesterday the Giants were stuck in that weird purgatory with Daniel Jones. You know the one—where every Sunday felt like a coin flip between a decent performance and a "what was he thinking?" interception. But fast forward to January 2026, and the vibe is completely different. The Giants traded back into the first round of the 2025 draft to snag Dart at No. 25 overall, and honestly, the kid hasn't looked back since he took over the starting job in Week 4 against the Chargers.
The New Guy in Town: Who is Jaxson Dart?
Jaxson Dart is the current starting quarterback for the New York Giants.
He didn't start the 2025 season as the QB1, though. The Giants actually brought in some heavy-duty veteran insurance in the form of Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston. It was supposed to be a "redshirt" year for Dart. The plan was to let the veterans take the hits while the rookie learned how to read an NFL defense without getting flattened.
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Plans change.
By September, the offense was sputtering under Wilson, and the calls for the rookie became deafening. Since stepping in, Dart has put up some genuinely impressive numbers for a first-year signal-caller:
- 24 total touchdowns (passing and rushing combined).
- 487 rushing yards, which led all rookie QBs.
- A 91.7 passer rating that actually kept the Giants competitive in games they had no business being in.
What’s wild is how he’s handled the "New York spotlight." Most rookies crumble when the Post starts writing back-page headlines about their personal lives, but Dart seems to thrive on it. Even when his teammate, running back Cam Skattebo, started trolling him on Instagram about his relationship with Marissa Ayers, Dart just laughed it off. That kind of locker room chemistry is something the Giants haven't really had since the early Tom Coughlin days.
Why the Veterans are Still Around
You might be wondering why Russell Wilson is still wearing Big Blue if he's not the starter.
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It’s actually a pretty cool story. Despite being benched in September, Wilson has turned into a massive mentor for Dart. Ian Rapoport recently reported that when Wilson found out he was losing the starting job, his first phone call wasn't to his agent—it was to Jaxson Dart. He told the kid he had his back.
Now, you see Wilson and Winston (the ultimate "vibes" guy) in the film room every night with Dart. They call it "closing the place down." They're the last ones out, grinding over iPads and trying to figure out how to stop the Eagles' pass rush. Having a 10-time Pro Bowler like Wilson acting as a "caddy" on the sidelines is a luxury most rookie QBs never get.
The Daniel Jones Era is Officially Over
In case there was any doubt, the Giants moved on from Daniel Jones late in 2024. He ended up signing with the Indianapolis Colts, where he actually had a bit of a resurgence before an Achilles injury slowed him down. The Giants are still eating some "dead cap" money from that $160 million contract, but the page has been turned. There’s no more looking over the shoulder. This is Dart’s team now.
What’s Next for the Giants QB?
The 2025 season just wrapped up with a 34-17 win over the Dallas Cowboys. Dart threw for 230 yards and two scores, basically slamming the door on any rumors that the Giants might use their No. 5 overall pick in the 2026 draft on another quarterback like Fernando Mendoza or Dante Moore.
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The focus now shifts from "finding a QB" to "finding Dart some help."
While Malik Nabers has been a superstar when healthy, the rest of the receiving corps is a bit of a question mark due to a string of ACL and rib injuries that decimated the roster in late 2025. The Giants are also in the middle of a head coaching search after some major staff shakeups. Word on the street is that guys like John Harbaugh have been in the building, and whoever takes the job is going to be tasked with one thing: turning Jaxson Dart into an All-Pro.
Actionable Takeaways for Giants Fans
- Buy the Jersey: If you were waiting to see if Dart was a "one-hit wonder," the Week 18 win over Dallas should've convinced you. He’s the guy for the foreseeable future.
- Watch the Draft: Keep an eye on the No. 5 pick. Since the Giants aren't taking a QB, expect them to target a blue-chip offensive lineman or another elite weapon for Dart.
- Rookie of the Year Voting: Dart is a finalist for the Pepsi Rookie of the Year. Fans can actually vote on NFL.com through January 30th.
The rebuild in East Rutherford finally has a foundation. It’s not perfect—the 4-13 record last season proves that—but for the first time in a long time, the New York Giants have an answer at the most important position on the field.