Jaxson Dart's rookie season wasn't perfect, but at the very least, he offered the New York Giants hope for what the future holds. He's part of why they were able to hire John Harbaugh. They're surrounding him with better protection and weapons, but the job isn't close to being finished just yet.
Despite going 4-8 as a starter, he totaled 24 touchdowns to just five interceptions and finished as an Offensive Rookie of the Year finalist. So you'd think most people see Dart as New York's long-term franchise quarterback, but that's not the case. Not everyone is convinced about his long-term QB1 status.
Bleacher Report's Kristopher Knox is among those who want to see more from the 22-year-old. While discussing which teams could be looking for new franchise QBs in 2027, he did not label Big Blue's urgency to find a signal-caller as totally safe, as he placed Dart in the "somewhere in between" tier.
"Jaxson Dart showed glimpses of being a playmaking franchise QB as a rookie, but the Giants still need to see him play more consistently and with a lot more self-preservation," Knox wrote.
Jaxson Dart still has steps to take before cementing himself as the Giants' franchise QB
The Ole Miss product was in the same tier as guys like Joe Burrow, Jalen Hurts, Baker Mayfield, C.J. Stroud, and Cam Ward. This isn't Knox trying to say he doesn't see No. 6 as a franchise quarterback. He's just making sure fans proceed with caution before evaluating Dart in a misleading type of way.
Knox makes a good point, and one Giants fans need to consider more. His health is still something of a mystery, as he had to go through concussion tests on four separate occasions as a rookie. And that high-contact play style is something Brian Daboll had encouraged him to tone back to stay healthy.
Thankfully, the 2025 first-round pick will be better protected this season. New York invested the 10th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft in Miami tackle Francis Mauigoa, who will slot in as the starting right guard next to Jermaine Eluemunor at right tackle. And RG was the weakest link on the OL last season.
In Dart's defense, he was without Malik Nabers and Cam Skattebo for most of the year and didn't really have the weapons to shine like he did early on. He had to rely on his legs, and I'm sure he'll continue doing so, but the weapons are considerably better than they were down the stretch.
The G-Men signed Darnell Mooney and Calvin Austin to add WR depth, spent heavy on Isaiah Likely to be their new top tight end, and traded an arm and a leg to move up for Malachi Fields. Oh, and Nabers is inching towards a return. He'll finally have the supporting cast to thrive if all goes right.
But like Knox noted, Giants fans can't get ahead of themselves, because the dreadful "sophomore slump" is always possible. He still needs to be more consistent (and healthy) to feel completely comfortable with him, but I'd be remiss if I said they were in a bad spot at the quarterback position.
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