With the Super Bowl still needing to be played, the New York Giants are already creating a lot of exciting buzz around them.
After another disappointing season, the Giants could not afford another huge miss with their next head coaching hire. They certainly hit it out of the park when New York won the John Harbaugh sweepstakes with the hopes that the former Baltimore Ravens and Super Bowl-winning head coach can turn around what has become a losing mentality in East Rutherford.
While all eyes will be on how Harbaugh handles coaching in New York, Jaxson Dart is also expected to take a huge leap in 2026 after showing impressive flashes during his rookie season. And as the wait for an offensive coordinator continues, one of the biggest selling points is Dart, and his expected breakout in Year 2.
PFF expects huge things out of Jaxson Dart in second season
In an article for Pro Football Focus, Dalton Wasserman named potential players who could have breakout seasons in 2026, with Dart among them:
"Dart was certainly in the spotlight during his rookie season, and he earned a respectable 68.4 PFF overall grade with an injury-ravaged supporting cast," Wasserman wrote.
"Star wide receiver Malik Nabers suffered a season-ending injury in Dart’s first start. Running back Cam Skattebo suffered his own season-ending injury in Week 8. Left tackle Andrew Thomas also missed four games. Armed with a healthier supporting cast and a new coaching staff, Dart has a chance to improve significantly in 2026."
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As Wasserman alluded to, Dart did not have much to work with for most of his rookie season. After losing his No. 1 wide receiver in Malik Nabers during his first start due to a torn ACL, followed by losing his best friend and fellow rookie, running back Cam Skattebo, less than a month later to a brutal ankle injury, the 22-year-old did not have a ton at his disposal. The former first-round pick was also without Big Blue's best offensive lineman, Andrew Thomas, for four games.
Still, however, Dart managed to pass for 2,272 yards in 12 games started with 15 touchdown passes and nine rushing scores to just five interceptions; and as the season progressed, the former Ole Miss Rebel looked more and more like an NFL quarterback, something the Giants and Giants fans have long been waiting for.
If the G-Men get a healthy Malik Nabers and Cam Skattebo next season, as well as continuing to build around Jaxson Dart, whether that would be in draft or free agency, a breakout year and then some is certainly on the table for the young gun-slinger.