Giants Enter 2026 with Jaxson Dart at the Helm, and a Clear Vision at Quarterback
After a turbulent 2024 season that saw the Daniel Jones era come to a close and a carousel of quarterbacks fail to spark the offense, the New York Giants made one thing crystal clear heading into 2025: it was time to hit the reset button under center. Head coach Brian Daboll and general manager Joe Schoen knew their job security hinged on finding stability at the game’s most important position-and they didn’t waste time getting to work.
A Quarterback Room Rebuilt
The Giants opened last offseason by adding a pair of veteran arms to the mix, signing Jameis Winston to a two-year, $8 million deal, then bringing in Russell Wilson on a one-year, $10 million contract. Wilson, the former Super Bowl winner, was expected to take the reins as the starter, offering a steady hand and a wealth of experience.
But New York wasn’t done. After selecting linebacker Abdul Carter with the third overall pick, the Giants aggressively traded up into the back end of the first round to grab Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart at No. 25-sending Picks 34, 99, and a 2026 third-rounder to make it happen.
It was a bold move that signaled a clear direction: the Giants were building for the future, and Dart was going to be a big part of it.
The Russell Wilson Experiment Falls Short
Wilson opened the season as the starter and took the majority of first-team reps through camp. But after three starts, including a Week 3 loss to the Chiefs where the offense sputtered to just nine points, the Giants pulled the plug.
Wilson's final stat line for the year: 69-of-119 (58%) for 831 yards, three touchdowns, three interceptions, and 10 sacks. He flashed vintage magic in Week 2 against Dallas, throwing for 450 yards and three scores, but failed to top 168 passing yards in either of his other two starts.
After that, he threw just four more passes the rest of the season.
It was clear the Wilson chapter in New York was going to be a short one.
Enter Jaxson Dart
Jaxson Dart made his debut in Week 4 against a ferocious Chargers defense-and didn’t look back. The rookie led the Giants to a win in his first start and continued to impress throughout the season.
Dart finished his debut campaign completing 216-of-339 passes (63.7%) for 2,272 yards, 15 touchdowns, and just five interceptions. His poise, decision-making, and athleticism gave the Giants’ offense a new dimension.
Digging into the advanced metrics, Dart posted a 5.2% Big Time Throw Rate and a 3.4% Turnover Worthy Play Rate. He averaged 6.7 yards per attempt with an average depth of target at 8.8 yards.
He was sacked 35 times, but his legs were a legitimate weapon-rushing for 487 yards (5.7 YPC) and nine touchdowns. The flip side of that mobility?
Five fumbles and a few big hits that raised some durability concerns, especially after a concussion sidelined him for two games.
Still, Dart’s ability to extend plays and pick up tough yards on the ground added a dynamic layer to the Giants’ offense. And he did it without star wideout Malik Nabers for much of the year.
On third downs, Dart was efficient and composed, completing 60-of-95 passes (63%) with five touchdowns and two interceptions. Against the blitz, he held his own, going 73-of-115 (63.5%) for 817 yards, eight touchdowns, and three picks, per Pro Football Focus. For a 22-year-old rookie, he showed a rare blend of humility, maturity, and confidence-both on the field and at the podium.
With Dart under contract on a rookie deal for at least three more years, the Giants have a young, cost-effective quarterback to build around.
Winston Holds the Fort
When Dart missed time due to concussion protocol, Winston stepped in for two starts. He went 37-of-66 (56.1%) for 567 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions.
He averaged 8.6 yards per attempt and posted a 6.9% Big Time Throw Rate, but also a 6.6% Turnover Worthy Play Rate. Winston showed he could still sling it, especially in a back-and-forth shootout with Detroit in Week 12, but the Giants dropped both of his starts.
Even so, Winston remains under contract for 2026 and serves as a valuable veteran presence in a young locker room. His leadership and experience offer stability behind Dart-and that’s not something to overlook.
Looking Ahead to 2026
The Giants enter the 2026 season with something they haven’t had in a while: clarity at quarterback. Jaxson Dart is the guy, and there’s little debate about it. Winston returns as a high-end backup, while Russell Wilson will hit the open market and is not expected back.
The focus now shifts to Dart’s continued development under new head coach Jim Harbaugh. How Harbaugh and his staff build around their young quarterback will be one of the defining storylines of the season. The Giants may look to add another arm-perhaps an undrafted rookie or veteran-for the practice squad, but the foundation is in place.
For the first time in years, the Giants aren’t searching for answers at quarterback. They’ve found one in Jaxson Dart-and the future suddenly looks a lot more stable in New York.