Dec. 29, 2025, 8:01 a.m. ET
New York Giants rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart shrugged off reports that the team might select a new quarterback with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL draft.
NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport reported Sunday that if the Giants land the top selection, they will fully evaluate every option, including Heisman Trophy winner and Indiana star Fernando Mendoza, despite Dart’s presence.
Following the Giants’ 34-10 win over the Las Vegas Raiders that snapped a nine-game skid but dropped them to No. 2 in the draft order (behind the 2-14 Raiders), Dart was directly asked postgame if he’d seen the report about potentially drafting a quarterback first overall.
“No, I did not,” Dart replied.
Pressed on how he processes such speculation, Dart remained unfazed.
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“I’m going to continue to play my ball. I know I’m going to be here for a very long time, and I’m just excited to start winning more games and turn this place around and do my job, and we have a bright future,” he said. “And that was one thing that, I was just standing on the sideline, and I’m watching Abdul [Carter] ball, I’m watching DA [Darius Alexander] ball. Skat [Cam Skattebo] was here today, and when you just think about this rookie class, I think that we have a really bright future, and we’re going to be a big pivot and turn this thing around.”
The Giants could still claim No. 1 with a Week 18 loss to Dallas and a Raiders win over Kansas City, tying records at 3-14 with New York’s easier strength of schedule as the tiebreaker.
Dart’s confident response signals he views himself as the long-term answer.
