The New York Giants have been looking for "the guy" since Eli Manning rode off into the sunset. Honestly, it’s been a rough ride. But right now, if you're asking who is the Giants QB, the answer is officially Jaxson Dart.
He isn't just a placeholder. He’s the first-round pick the front office bet the house on, and after a rocky but promising 2025 season, he's the undisputed face of the franchise heading into 2026.
The Jaxson Dart Era Begins
The Giants didn't just stumble into Jaxson Dart. They moved aggressively. In the 2025 NFL Draft, GM Joe Schoen traded back into the first round, sending a haul to the Houston Texans to snag the former Ole Miss star at No. 25 overall.
It was a statement move. It signaled the end of the Daniel Jones experiment and the beginning of a high-ceiling, high-energy era. Dart brings a "flick-fast" trigger and a level of moxie that MetLife Stadium hasn't seen in a while.
He's a gamer. Basically, he’s the kind of guy who isn't afraid to take a hit to move the chains, though that’s actually worried the coaching staff. During his rookie year, he was checked for concussions five times in just ten games. You love the heart, but you'd rather see him slide.
What Happened to the Other Guys?
It's weird seeing the Giants depth chart without Daniel Jones. For years, he was the guy, then he was the guy with the huge contract, and then suddenly, he wasn't. Jones is currently an unrestricted free agent recovering from a torn Achilles he suffered while playing for the Indianapolis Colts. Yeah, he had a brief, statistically brilliant stint in Indy before the injury bug bit again.
As for the current locker room, the Giants have some serious veteran insurance.
Jameis Winston is currently the primary backup. He signed an $8 million deal to be a mentor and a "break glass in case of emergency" option. There’s been some chatter about whether New York might cut him to save about $2.7 million in cap space this offseason, but with Russell Wilson likely heading elsewhere, keeping Jameis for stability seems like the smart play.
Why Fans are High on Dart for 2026
Last season wasn't pretty on paper—the Giants finished 4-13. But if you actually watched the games, you saw why Dart is the starter. In 12 starts, he put up 2,272 yards and 15 touchdowns. More importantly? Only five interceptions. For a rookie in the New York media pressure cooker, that’s actually incredible ball security.
Dart just has this energy. He recently told reporters that he "hates to lose" and that the culture in the building has to change. It's not just talk. He’s already organizing offseason workouts with the receiving corps to build chemistry.
Here is what the QB room looks like right now:
- Jaxson Dart (Starter): The 22-year-old franchise cornerstone. He broke Eli Manning's career passing yards record at Ole Miss and is now trying to replicate Eli's hardware.
- Jameis Winston (Backup): The veteran voice. He only started two games in 2025 but remains a vital part of the room.
- Reserve Options: The team recently signed a handful of players to reserve/future contracts, but the QB depth will likely be addressed again in the late rounds of the 2026 draft or through cheap veteran additions.
The John Harbaugh Factor
There is another huge piece to the "who is the Giants QB" puzzle: who is coaching him? As of mid-January 2026, the Giants are reportedly closing in on John Harbaugh to take over as head coach.
This is massive. Harbaugh is known for maximizing quarterback talent. If he takes the job, Dart gets a Super Bowl-winning mentor who knows how to build a scheme around a mobile, aggressive passer. Dart has even been involved in the meeting process during the coaching search, which tells you everything you need to know about his status. He isn't just the quarterback; he’s a partner in the rebuild.
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Real Talk: The Risks
Let's be real for a second. Being a Giants QB is a brutal job. The offensive line has been a revolving door of "wait and see" for half a decade. Star receiver Malik Nabers spent a chunk of last season on the shelf with an ACL injury, and losing guys like running back Cam Skattebo to a dislocated ankle didn't help Dart's rookie campaign.
If the Giants want Dart to survive 2026, they have to protect him. Period. He leading the FBS in yards per attempt back in college because he had time. In the NFL, he's been running for his life too often.
Next Steps for the Giants QB Situation
If you’re tracking this for your dynasty league or just because you bleed Big Blue, keep your eyes on the 2026 NFL Draft. The Giants hold the No. 5 overall pick. While they are set at QB with Dart, they’ll likely use that pick to grab a franchise tackle or a defensive game-changer like Abdul Carter (who they took at No. 3 last year) needs help on the other side of the ball.
The focus now shifts to the "offseason program." Watch for news on Dart’s health—specifically ensuring those concussion issues are a thing of the past—and whether the team keeps Jameis Winston as the safety net.
If the Giants can keep their young gunslinger upright, 2026 might finally be the year the rebuild actually starts looking like a revival.