Jaxson Dart is Officially on Notice After Giants' Latest Decision

The New York Giants entered the 2026 NFL campaign with high hopes thanks much in part to the presence of Jaxson Dart under center.

However, a Week 2 knee injury that knocked Dart out for the remainder of the year put a huge damper on the season.

With limited depth at quarterback, the Giants then went out and swung a trade for J.J. McCarthy, a former top-10 pick who just couldn't cut it in Minnesota.

McCarthy supplanted Jameis Winston late in New York's loss to the New Orleans Saints and nearly led the Giants to a thrilling comeback, leading Big Blue to 17 unanswered points in the fourth quarter of a 34-27 loss.

Now, McCarthy has officially been named the starter for the Giants' Week 7 matchup against the Houston Texans, and it's certainly a tough landing zone for McCarthy on the road. But clearly, John Harbaugh wants to see what the youngster has.

After all, New York spent a fifth-round pick on McCarthy, so it wants to try and get some use out of the third-year signal-caller.

But what does this mean for Dart?

When he has been on the field, Dart has looked more than impressive. He flashed tremendous talent in 12 starts last season, and he was brilliant in the Giants' season-opening win over the Dallas Cowboys last month.

However, Dart was in the medical tent five times in 2025 being evaluated for head injuries. He missed two games with a concussion. He is now sidelined with his knee injury.

New York has not seen enough of a sample size to know for sure whether or not the Ole Miss product is the answer long-term, and now, another former first-round pick is getting a chance to prove his worth.

What happens if McCarthy steps in and lights it up for the Giants? What if he leads New York to an NFC East division title and looks darn good in doing so? Then what?

McCarthy is under team control for two more years with a team option for 2028, so it's not like he's an impending free agent. But Dart will be back for Week 1 next season, so New York will need to make a decision.

I do think Dart is the superior talent, and if we're being honest, it's not like McCarthy has been the face of durability himself. He missed his entire rookie campaign in 2024 with a knee injury of his own. Ankle injuries and a concussion limited him last year.

Neither quarterback has gotten enough of an opportunity to prove themselves, but from what we've seen thus far, I trust Dart significantly more.

And while McCarthy did throw for 243 yards and a touchdown in abbreviated action last Sunday, he went just 11-for-21 and also tossed a pick. So it was a mixed bag.

There is no question, however, that Dart is officially on notice, and to no fault of his own. Again, when he's played, he's been good. But he's only had 14 career starts, and two of them resulted in Dart leaving early due to injuries.

Unfortunately, time waits for no one, and if McCarthy seizes the opportunity and takes the Giants to the postseason, Dart could end up getting the boot.