Giants GM Joe Schoen Sends Clear Message on Jaxson Dart After Learning His Fate

He had to sweat it out a little at the end of the season, but Joe Schoen now knows his fate. The New York Giants general manager got an endorsement from owner John Mara back in October when the team fired then-head coach Brian Daboll. At the time, Mara said Schoen would conduct the search for a new head coach. However, reports indicated that Mara may re-evaluate that position at the end of the season.

That’s no longer a concern. Schoen and Daboll were hired together back in 2022, both coming over from the Bills, where Daboll served as offensive coordinator and Schoen as assistant general manager. In his time as general manager, Schoen has brought in key additions through free agency, the draft, and the trade market, including EDs Brian Burns and Abdul Carter, as well as WR Malik Nabers. However, it hasn’t yet led to consistent success on the field.

New York Giants GM Joe Schoen on the Value of QB Jaxson Dart

GettyEAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – JANUARY 04: Jaxson Dart #6 of the New York Giants throws a pass against the Dallas Cowboys during the second quarter at MetLife Stadium on January 04, 2026 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

Whether the pick was made by Schoen or Daboll, it doesn’t matter. Jaxson Dart is a Giant, and he’s part of the package Schoen will be selling potential head coaching candidates to try and convince them to come to New York.

Dart was the No. 25 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft out of Ole Miss. As a rookie, he threw for 2,272 yards and 15 touchdowns with five interceptions, completing 63.7 percent of his passes at 6.7 yards per attempt. He also ran for 487 yards and nine touchdowns at a 5.7 yards per carry clip.

All told, Dart started 12 games, taking over from veteran QB Russell Wilson four games into the season and missing time later in the year due to concussion issues. Dart’s reckless playstyle and propensity for getting himself hurt were major talking points throughout the year. Schoen was asked by reporters if having Dart on the roster was a positive selling point for head coaching candidates.

“Absolutely. Absolutely,” Schoen said on Monday during his post-season press conference. “From the people I’ve talked to, the consensus — there are a lot of potential head coaching candidates that are excited about the opportunity here because of Jaxson Dart.”

The New York Giants have a Decent Roster for a Four-Win Team

The Giants won four games in 2025, beating the Chargers and Eagles in two of Dart’s first three starts — a pair of playoff teams, for what it’s worth — before losing nine straight. New York did close the season on a two-game winning streak, beating the Raiders and Cowboys at the end of the year.

As the Giants enter a new era with a new head coach and their (hopeful) future under center already in the building, Schoen will be tasked with filling the gaps in the roster. New York has an excellent defensive line, a star wide receiver, a pair of exciting young running backs, and more. But they need to address the cornerback position, shore up the offensive line, and add a secondary playmaker at wide receiver to support Dart as he continues to develop.

Ethan Woodie is an accomplished sports writer specializing in the NFL and college football for Heavy.com. He’s written for Heavy since 2025 and has years of experience writing for NFL Trade Rumors and Pro Football Focus (PFF). Woodie is an expert in draft scouting and his final 2025 Big Board was included in Arif Hasan’s media consensus board for Wide Left. More about Ethan Woodie