The New York Giants are currently slated to possess the No. 2 overall selection in the 2026 NFL Draft, according to the real-time order. Assuming they clinch that top-two pick in Week 18, they'd be in position to guarantee themselves an opportunity to draft quarterback Fernando Mendoza or Dante Moore. Things could get interesting for the Giants this offseason.
The expectation has been that the Giants will continue building around sophomore-quarterback-to-be Jaxson Dart. Reports have sounded less assured in recent weeks. Ian Rapoport recently claimed the Giants would evaluate all options, including drafting a quarterback, before proceeding with a decision.
The Giants should continue building around Dart, but it’s no longer a guarantee.
Rap: "Expect (the Giants) to evaluate all options including looking at Fernando Mendoza before they make a decision of how they're going to proceed (if they have No. 1)"
— Connor Hughes (@Connor_J_Hughes) December 28, 2025
That's significant. Moving on from Dart not even a two-second discussion before he went down in Chicago. https://t.co/x9s9kVtkj8
Dart has been a lackluster performer since the Giants fired Brian Daboll. Interim head coaches are supposed to provide a much-needed jolt, but that hasn't necessarily happened for Dart, who has undeniably regressed.
The Giants are 1-3 since firing Daboll. Dart missed a month of action with a concussion, an injury Daboll was partially blamed for due to his reckless usage of the rookie QB. In four games post-Daboll, Dart is averaging 156.25 passing yards per game with three touchdowns and two interceptions, and two additional rushing scores. That includes an unfathomable 33-yard passing showing versus the Minnesota Vikings in Week 16.
Had Dart and the Giants not stat-padded on a tanking Las Vegas Raiders team on Sunday, his numbers would look considerably worse. Dart has struggled to adjust under Mike Kafka, and though the adjustment in play style is leading to less injury concern, it's also leading to less production.
Where things get potentially interesting is regarding Joe Schoen's job security. If Schoen is fired as general manager, his replacement wouldn't have the same commitment to Dart. In fact, he'd be inheriting a top-two selection in a two-QB draft with an opportunity to hand-pick his own quarterback.
There have been whispers regarding Schoen's future in East Rutherford. Schoen felt guaranteed to return when he initially survived Daboll's dismissal. It feels dicey now that the Giants have dropped nine of their latest 10 matchups.
Whether or not the Giants are willing to admit defeat on the Dart experiment after his rookie campaign probably relies on Schoen's fate. Theoretically, would Schoen deserve another opportunity to hire a head coach and draft a QB after whiffing on Daboll and Dart? If Schoen is retained, it's because ownership possesses faith in his ability to rebuild around Dart.
Some will believe this is simply the Giants drumming up interest in a potential trade. That thought is overblown. The desire for a franchise quarterback when you don't possess one burns so deeply that the Giants don't need to feign interest. Several suitors would tempt Schoen into trading No. 2 overall without requisite mind-games. Everyone knew the Titans would trade the top selection in 2016 after drafting Marcus Mariota in 2015, and they still talked the Los Angeles Rams into parting with six selections. Competition from rival suitors is enough to create interest.
Moving on from Dart, who looked so promising early, feels unfathomable. A new general manager sometimes means a new QB, especially when a top-two draft pick is in play. Dart's fate is tied to Schoen's.