Giants Anticipate Long-Awaited Quarterback Showdown
The Giants will need to hold off their excitement for the initial matchup between Jackson Dart and Jaden Daniels.
This essentially means the quarterback New York covets now—and, of course, the one they hope to secure in the future—won’t cross paths on the field just yet.
Dart is set to face the Commanders at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, but Daniels will be sidelined due to a reinvigorated left elbow injury, which previously kept him out for three games earlier this season.
Instead, it’s a battle between Dart and backup Marcus Mariota, which doesn’t quite spark the same level of interest. As it stands, the Giants sit at a discouraging 2-11 overall, while the Commanders are a mere 3-10. Both teams are in the grips of lengthy losing streaks, with the Giants dropping seven straight games and the Commanders struggling through eight consecutive losses.
Circle 2026 on your calendar for the Dart vs. Daniels clash.
“He’s a fantastic player, and it’s always exciting to face him,” Dart shared after a practice session on Wednesday. “We’ll have plenty of chances to compete in the coming years, so it’s just fun to have this opportunity.”
Dart and Daniels clashed in college three times. Back in 2021, Daniels led Arizona State to a 31-16 victory over Dart and USC. The following season, Daniels and LSU triumphed against Dart and Ole Miss, scoring 40-25. However, their latest encounter in 2023 was thrilling, with Dart and Ole Miss edging the game 55-49.
In that shootout, both quarterbacks tossed four touchdown passes, avoided interceptions, and even rushed for additional touchdowns.
The Giants had eyed a trade to secure Daniels, aiming for the No. 2 pick in the 2024 draft, but negotiations didn’t pan out. They also wanted to ascend from their No. 6 position to grab Drake Maye, but the Patriots weren’t biting.
After a disappointing shutout that season, they went on to select wide receiver Malik Nabors.
A year post-draft, they made a comeback to the first round and picked Dart at 25th overall.
Dart and Daniels have shared a bond for years, collaborating under the same quarterbacks coach, John Beck, since high school. They first met during the Pac-12 Conference and subsequently continued their rivalry in the SEC.
“We compete fiercely on the field, but off it, we share a solid relationship,” Dart reflected. “He has a great family, so it’s nice that our paths continue to cross.”
Dart’s been on quite a rollercoaster. He kicked off the season strong, winning two of his first three games, but hasn’t seen a victory since. He’s now standing at a 2-6 record, posting a mediating 94.1 passer rating, with a 63.6 completion percentage, alongside 11 touchdown passes and three interceptions over eight starts.
This time, Dart’s facing the Commanders again, along with the Vikings, Raiders, and Cowboys, with only one road game left—Week 17 in Las Vegas.
Dart made his return following a 33-15 loss to the Patriots on Monday Night Football, but it seemed the Patriots took every opportunity to pressure him, particularly when he hesitated on the sideline instead of stepping out of bounds.
He’s done with his first bye week in the NFL.
“He looked refreshed and energized,” interim head coach Mike Kafka observed. “I had a chance to talk with him before we parted ways, and there’s a real sense of excitement around him.”
Dart, even during his bye week, couldn’t resist staying involved in football. He spent time reviewing photos and reflecting on his performance to identify improvements.
“By engaging in discussions with the coaches, we can analyze every game, every rep, and pinpoint recurring mistakes,” Dart explained. “Focusing on mechanics is crucial, allowing us to explore how our actions impact performance,” he mentioned, adding it was a beneficial exercise.
Dart was confident, ready to acknowledge his strengths without reservation.
“I felt my decision-making was solid. I didn’t put the ball in harm’s way or force plays unnecessarily,” he noted. “I let the game flow. We were pleased with our offensive progress. Even though the Patriots game was tough, we still managed to be explosive offensively.”
