The New York Giants entered the 2026 NFL season with high hopes for their young quarterback, Jaxson Dart, who many perceive as the team’s long-term solution. And for the majority, he delivered performances worthy of the hype.
Selected with the 25th overall pick in last year’s NFL Draft, Dart carried expectations to stabilize a position that has seen too much turnover.
While he showed flashes of brilliance in his rookie season, NFL.com’s Nick Shook placed him at No. 23 in his ranking of the 63 quarterbacks who started either a regular season or playoff game this year.
Dart landed in Tier 4, behind the likes of Bryce Young of the Carolina Panthers at No. 21 and Tyler Shough of the New Orleans Saints at No. 22.
He was only just ahead of Malik Willis, who spent 2025 backing up Jordan Love of the Green Bay Packers.
An impressive debut season in the NFL
Despite the ranking, Dart showed promise throughout the season. He went 4-8 in his first year, throwing for 2,272 passing yards, 15 touchdowns, and five interceptions while also rushing for 487 yards and nine scores.
He made an immediate impact, winning his first NFL start against the Los Angeles Chargers, defeating the reigning champion Philadelphia Eagles, and nearly toppling both the Denver Broncos and Chicago Bears.
In fact, the Giants did not record a victory in any game started by another quarterback, which includes more experienced passers Jameis Winston and Russell Wilson.
Still, Dart found himself in the back half of starters, just above season-long backups like Willis, Mac Jones, Jacoby Brissett, Kirk Cousins, and Cam Ward, the rookie starter for the Tennessee Titans.
Even so, Shook highlighted the positives in Dart‘s performance: “Jaxson electrified New York in a fashion it desperately needed at the quarterback position. But he also demonstrated a refusal to surrender that put him in harm’s way on a few occasions. “ Shook wrote.
“His rookie season included some bumps in the road, but if he can stay on the field more consistently in the seasons ahead, I think the Giants might have their guy.”
Fans took to social media to make their thoughts clear. One fan wrote: “Anyone with a brain is taking Dart over Shough, it’s not even a debate.”
Another said: “Lmao what a joke for Shough to be ahead of Dart. I have respect for Shough and think he can be a really good quarterback in this league. I just don’t see how you can put him above Dart based on their rookie seasons. Yes Dart had 3 more games he also had 11 more touchdowns.”
How Dart measures up against fellow Giants QBs
Winston ended up No. 40 in Tier 5 after starting two games and compiling 561 passing yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions.
Winston kept the Giants competitive against the Detroit Lions and Green Bay Packers, though both contests ended in seven-point losses.
Meanwhile, Wilson, the Giants‘ Week 1 starter against the Washington Commanders, was ranked No. 45 in Tier 6.
Shook still praised Wilson for his 30-for-41, 375-yard, three-TD outing in the Giants‘ 40-37 OT loss to the Dallas Cowboys.
Clearly, there is room for improvement for Dart. But being underrated early in his career may reduce external pressure, giving him a unique opportunity to grow and develop in his second NFL season, while the Giants hope he cements his place as their long-term quarterback.
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