The 2025 season was a rough ride for the New York Giants, who stumbled to a 4-13 finish and landed at the bottom of the NFC East for the second straight year-and the fifth time in the last nine seasons. Injuries played a major role in the team’s struggles, with key offensive weapons missing large chunks of the season. Quarterback Jaxson Dart, running back Cam Skattebo, and wide receiver Malik Nabers all spent significant time on the sidelines, with Skattebo and Nabers missing most of the year due to season-ending injuries.
But even in a season where wins were hard to come by, the Giants found a few bright spots-most notably in their rookie class. Despite missing time, Jaxson Dart made enough of an impression to be named one of five finalists for Offensive Rookie of the Year.
That’s no small feat considering the competition. Dart is joined by Panthers wideout Tetairoa McMillan, Saints quarterback Tyler Shough, Buccaneers receiver Emeka Egbuka, and Patriots running back TreVeyon Henderson.
Each of those players had standout seasons, but Dart’s inclusion speaks volumes about the flashes he showed when healthy-poise in the pocket, playmaking ability, and the kind of upside that gives Giants fans something to be excited about heading into 2026.
Dart isn’t the only Giant in the spotlight. First-round pick Abdul Carter is also up for hardware, earning a spot as one of five finalists for Defensive Rookie of the Year.
The linebacker made a strong impression in his debut season, showcasing the kind of sideline-to-sideline speed and physicality that can anchor a defense for years to come. Carter will be up against some stiff competition, including Browns linebacker Carson Schwesinger, Falcons linebacker James Pearce Jr., Seahawks safety Nick Emmanwori, and Falcons safety Xavier Watts.
It’s a talented group, but Carter’s nomination puts him firmly in the conversation as one of the league’s most promising young defenders.
So when will we find out if Dart or Carter takes home the award?
Circle Thursday, February 5 on your calendar. That’s when the 2026 NFL Honors will take place, broadcasting live at 9 p.m.
ET on NBC from the Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco. The event will also be available to stream on Peacock and NFL+.
Beyond the rookie honors, the NFL Honors will recognize the best of the best from the 2025 season. Here’s a look at the full list of major award finalists:
MVP Finalists
- Matthew Stafford
- Drake Maye
- Josh Allen
- Christian McCaffrey
- Trevor Lawrence
Offensive Rookie of the Year Finalists
- Jaxson Dart
- Tetairoa McMillan
- Tyler Shough
- Emeka Egbuka
- TreVeyon Henderson
Defensive Rookie of the Year Finalists
- Abdul Carter
- Carson Schwesinger
- James Pearce Jr.
- Xavier Watts
- Nick Emmanwori
Defensive Player of the Year Finalists
- Myles Garrett
- Micah Parsons
- Will Anderson Jr.
- Aidan Hutchinson
- Nik Bonitto
Coach of the Year Finalists
- Ben Johnson
- Liam Coen
- Mike Macdonald
- Kyle Shanahan
- Mike Vrabel
Comeback Player of the Year Finalists
- Dak Prescott
- Christian McCaffrey
- Stefon Diggs
- Trevor Lawrence
- Aidan Hutchinson
Assistant Coach of the Year Finalists
- Brian Flores
- Klint Kubiak
- Vic Fangio
- Josh McDaniels
- Vance Joseph
While the Giants’ season didn’t pan out the way they hoped, the emergence of Dart and Carter offers a glimpse into a potentially brighter future. Both rookies have already made their mark, and on February 5, they’ll have a chance to add some hardware to their résumés. For a franchise in search of momentum, that’s a storyline worth watching.