New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart has given the team hope that the franchise has found its first glimmer of sustainable hope under center in the post-Eli Manning era. That could lead to franchise player treatment this offseason.
If that ends up being the case, then 31-year-old backup quarterback Jameis Winston can expect to stick with the franchise in 2026 because of Dart’s support, according to Pro Football Talk’s Michael David Smith.
“Realistically, it’s hard to imagine the 31-year-old Winston getting an opportunity to start again unless a quarterback ahead of him on the depth chart gets injured. But Dart and Giants head coach Brian Daboll have both said Winston has been an important presence in the quarterbacks’ room, and so he’ll likely remain with the Giants, backing Dart up in 2026,” Smith wrote.
With Winston wanting to be Dart’s backup, there’s little indication that this partnership will end anytime soon. Russell Wilson, on the other hand, is a shoo-in to hit the free agent market after being quickly yanked following a 0-3 start.
Giants may fire Joe Schoen and Brian Daboll, remain invested in Jaxson Dart
While Giants general manager Joe Schoen and head coach Brian Daboll heavily backed the Dart pick in the 2025 NFL draft’s first round, it was Chris Mara who did the scouting and ultimately signed off on the pick.
John Mara is going to spend around Dart. He may have to spend extra, with his running back and receiver of the future, Cam Skattebo and Malik Nabers, both suffering serious and potentially career-altering injuries.
All of this is to say: Dart is the guy, whether or not Schoen and/or Daboll survive this coming offseason. Which they might not, given how there hasn’t been a defensive identity in four seasons since they were brought on to hire people who could give them one.
And given how Daniel Jones looks with the Indianapolis Colts, there are questions about Daboll’s chops offensively, too.