Giants fans should feel confident heading into 2026, and Jaxson Dart is a big reason why. Many are excited to watch him in Year 2 after an impressive rookie campaign.
We couldn’t have asked for a better first season for the 23-year-old. He recorded 2,272 passing yards and 15 passing touchdowns and rushed for 487 yards and nine touchdowns, setting a Giants franchise record for a quarterback. That kind of production gives Giants fans plenty to feel good about heading into 2026.
Dart obviously has things he can work on to become the Giants’ franchise signal caller for years to come, but it starts with his support system and the people around him. It’s safe to say he has the right people in his corner to help him unlock his potential.
Jameis Winston is very valuable to both the Giants and Jaxson Dart
Zachary Pereles of CBS Sports recently ranked the 10 best backup quarterbacks in the NFL, and you guessed it, No. 5 on the list is Giants backup Jameis Winston. The veteran quarterback has quickly won over the hearts of Big Blue fans with his personality on and off the field, as well as the mentorship he provides to Dart.
Not only is Jameis reliable should something happen to Dart, as we unfortunately saw several times last season when he was in concussion protocol, but he also has a lot of experience and advice to offer the second-year quarterback.
Winston was the first overall pick in 2015 after a successful collegiate career at Florida State, where he won the Heisman Trophy and National Championship in 2013. In the NFL, he’s played for four teams, was the Rookie of the Year and a Pro Bowler in 2015, and the passing yards leader in 2019.
Not a bad resume, if you ask me, and the way he carries himself on and off the field has not gone unnoticed, providing several iconic moments throughout his career. He’s a true leader in the Giants’ locker room and somebody that Dart will lean on in the early years of his professional career.
If you think about it, some of the greatest quarterbacks relied on quarterbacks they shared a room with as mentors, like Steve Young, who was mentored by Joe Montana, Eli Manning, who was mentored by Kurt Warner, and Patrick Mahomes, who was mentored by Alex Smith.
Dart will also have the support of new head coach John Harbaugh, offensive coordinator Matt Nagy, and Passing Game Coordinator and Quarterbacks Coach Brian Callahan, who have all been NFL head coaches, which isn’t a bad support system either, but none of them have Jameis' experience.
Consider the G-Men and Dart lucky to have Winston on their sidelines in 2026!
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