It's a WWE trope as old as, well, the WWE. The incumbent champion is replaced by a fan-favorite newcomer, only to make a dramatic return to reclaim his position. The New York Giants may not foster WrestleMania-level drama, but Jaxson Dart and J.J. McCarthy could be heading down a similar path.
A few weeks after arriving in New York, McCarthy has the G-Men looking primed for a playoff push heading into their bye week. His first start was his best game as a pro, giving the injury-riddled Giants new life at the season's midpoint.
But Dart might take his spot back earlier than expected. According to general manager Joe Schoen, Dart is still pushing to return to the field if Big Blue makes the playoffs this season. His self-imposed timeline is raising questions that Giants fans didn't think they would have to consider when he went down.
""He still thinks if we make the playoffs, that he's going to be able to come back. That's just the kid's mindset.""Joe Schoen on Jaxson Dart
Giants' Jaxson Dart is targeting a playoff return after knee injury
There are two important caveats here. First, Schoen couldn't make it through the statement without laughing. He doesn't seem to truly believe that Dart will be back this season, even if the G-Men win a playoff game or two. As Schoen mentioned, the second-year quarterback is still on crutches.
Second, the Giants themselves never completely closed the door on a postseason return for Dart. When the severity of his injury was finally reported, John Harbaugh stated that he would miss the rest of the regular season.
Harbaugh did contradict himself a bit, later saying, "The season's not over, but it is for him."
Of course, surgery to repair the meniscus and MCL would usually be season-ending. But if anybody is going to return earlier than expected from an injury like this, it's probably the 23-year-old quarterback who isn't afraid to take a hit from NFL defenders. Dart is no stranger to putting his body on the line, even when he shouldn't.
Jaxson Dart's injury timeline is forcing a J.J. McCarthy question Giants shouldn't have to face
McCarthy's first five quarters with Big Blue have been nothing short of electric. In less than two weeks, he has produced more total EPA than Geno Smith, Kyler Murray, and Sam Darnold have all season. He has half the passing yards of Jameis Winston despite having fewer than a third of the veteran's attempts. He has a playoff appearance looking more likely than ever for New York.
That doesn't mean that he's suddenly the Giants' franchise quarterback.
Most of McCarthy's best plays over the last two weeks have been drawn up for him. He has made some beautiful throws, no doubt, but 49 pass attempts shouldn't erase what he put on tape with the Minnesota Vikings in 2025. This is still a quarterback with plenty of growing to do.
When Dart returns, the job should be his. Ideally, McCarthy helps carry the Giants through an encouraging season in which they win the NFC East and put up a good fight in the playoffs. Then, New York either has a solid backup or an offseason trade chip.
If Dart actually returns for the playoffs, though, it will force a conversation about who should start. That's not a conversation that the Giants need to be having any time soon.
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