Jaxson Dart’s dad has gone on the attack amid growing speculation that the New York Giants don’t consider his son to be their long-term answer at quarterback.
The talk began on Sunday when Ian Rapoport said the Giants would consider drafting Fernando Mendoza if they had the first pick in the 2026 Draft.
That will almost certainly now not happen after the Giants beat the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday, but the fact Rapoport was confident enough to report it indicates that not everyone in the Giants organization is completely convinced by Dart.
It sparked wider debate around Dart in his rookie season, with Danny Kanell of CBS Sports saying after Sunday’s win that he too remains unconvinced by him.
‘I don’t know if Jaxson Dart is the long-term answer for the Giants,’ Kanell, the Giants starting quarterback in 1997, said. ‘When I think of a first-round draft pick, I think it’s somebody that you should picture for 10 to 12 years as gonna be your guy.
‘I still haven’t seen development as a passer. He still is running the football, and they’re designing runs for him. But I want to see him take that next step as a passer, and I just haven’t seen it yet.’
There is growing speculation the New York Giants want a different QB to Jaxson Dart
Dart’s dad slammed Danny Kanell for airing his concerns about the Giants quarterback
Responding to the clip on X, Brandon Dart hit out at Kanell saying: ‘Bro, Eat a Fat One!’
Dart himself insisted that he was not concerned by the reports about his position when he spoke to reporters after leading the Giants to a 34-10 win over the Raiders in Vegas.
‘I’m going to continue to play my ball,’ Dart said in the locker room. ‘I know I’m going to be here for a very long time. I’m excited to start winning more games and turn this place around, do my job.
‘We have a bright future. When you think about this rookie class, we have a really bright future and we’re going to be a really big pivot and turn this thing around.’
Dart took over at quarterback from Russell Wilson in Week 4 of his rookie season after the Giants traded back into the first round of the 2025 Draft to pick him from Ole Miss.
He’s right to refer to the rookie class the Giants have. Cam Skattebo emerged as an exciting prospect at running back in his first NFL season before a sickening leg fracture and dislocated ankle ended his season.
The injury curse also struck wide receiver Malik Nabers, ending his second year in Week 4 when he tore his ACL. Both Nabers and Skattebo should be fine for the start of 2026.
Dart too has widely been considered a bright spot for Giants in their difficult 3-13 campaign. He went 22-for-30, recording 207 yards in Sunday’s victory, and the fans are behind him after not taking to Wilson.
Dart pictured with father Brandon and mom Kara during his college days with Ole Miss
Dart and the Giants round out the regular season against Dallas Cowboys on Sunday
The Giants are expected to stick with GM Joe Schoen, who lead the search for the team’s next head coach after Brian Daboll was fired in Week 8.
From there, Dart’s future will become a lot clearer. The team round out the regular season at home to Dallas Cowboys on Sunday.
if the Giants lose and the Raiders beat the struggling Kansas City Chiefs, the Giants will land with the No 1 pick for the 2026 Draft. And from there, a big decision will be made.
