Best of the Giants on WFAN: Is the season officially doomed without Jaxson Dart?

Craig Carton (0:01)

2026, New York Giants football.

On a full evening in Los Angeles, the New York Giants' promising season came to an end.

As we now learn that the injuries suffered by Jaxson Dart, far more serious than we thought last night, and now they're contemplating season-ending surgery. That's not a lock yet, it's been contemplated. And we're moments away from John Harbaugh speaking, as soon as we can get that audio for you. Of course, we will bring that to you. But after that dominating win against the Dallas Cowboys, and all the promise that there was a new sheriff in town, and a new quarterback in town, the New York Giants should go another year. I think it's what, 10 straight years now, without a single quarterback playing every game for them. Jameis Winston is now QB1 for the New York Giants. They do not have a backup quarterback, but watch them sign Bailey Zappi in about a minute, to see how they go by the Jets today.

Chris McMonigle (1:02)

They'd have to sign somebody.

Craig Carton (1:04)

Because right now, they do not have a backup quarterback. Remember, Braxton Berrios was the backup quarterback last night. They did not carry three quarterbacks, the way a lot of teams do. Not a problem until something like this happens. But it feels terrible for the kid, obviously. Terrible for you Die Hard Giant fans who thought this was year one of a guaranteed rebuilding project and back to confidence in winning. And now you're dealing with the worst possible news.

We don't have it 100% yet, but that's what this press conference is going to be all about.

Chris McMonigle (1:36)

And let's be totally honest. I hate to be down in the dumps about this.

Craig Carton (1:40)

You should be.

Chris McMonigle (1:41)

Say even if they win games now, does it matter?

SPEAKER_3 (1:45)

Of course it matters. You still want to win?

Chris McMonigle (1:48)

Of course I want to win. But I say, all right, so this team is competitive now, and they show, like, but now, like, without Dart...

SPEAKER_3 (1:53)

You still need to make strides.

Craig Carton (1:59)

Strides.

Chris McMonigle (2:00)

I know, but like without Dart, it's like...

Craig Carton (2:02)

So you just want to tank the rest of the season now?

Chris McMonigle (2:04)

No, I'm not saying I want to lose on purse.

I want to win as many games as possible. But like when the season ends, and ultimately it will end without a playoff appearance, most likely, and certainly without a championship, we go, okay, so they built a little bit, we saw some good things. It's more about now, how does Carter look, right? How does Reese look? How does neighbors look? Did he get healthy? Because honestly, like whatever they do with Jameis Winston means absolutely nothing. It means absolutely nothing. And now the question is, is Jaxson Dart the future quarterback of this team?

Craig Carton (2:33)

That's the biggest question.

Chris McMonigle (2:34)

That's what I'm saying. Like it's like, we don't even know if now we're in the Jaxson Dart era anymore.

I don't know. And that's probably hyperbole in the moment. Like if it's the knee, as the knee comes back, but...

Craig Carton (2:47)

Guys, come back to me and raise. Patrick Holmes is playing pretty well right now.

Chris McMonigle (2:51)

Yeah, I know.

Craig Carton (2:52)

Not to say that Jaxson Dart is Patrick Holmes, but you get the point.

Chris McMonigle (2:56)

It's hard to even like muster the care for the giant season the rest of the way.

Craig Carton (3:00)

Wow. That's the initial reaction?

Chris McMonigle (3:02)

It's hard, man.

Craig Carton (3:03)

It's hard to get the care level back up to where it was? Yeah.

Chris McMonigle (3:08)

Wow.

Craig Carton (3:10)

And that's also because Jameis Winston played like crap.

Chris McMonigle (3:12)

Why are we so excited? We're excited for coach quarterback.

Craig Carton (3:15)

Yeah, you sure are.

Chris McMonigle (3:16)

That's what this was about. This is about building something with the two of those guys, with the coach and the quarterback, and going about winning with the giants. Now there's no quarterback.

Craig Carton (3:25)

Yeah. Now half the NFC East doesn't have a starting quarterback. Jaden Daniels gone to Washington. Jaxson Dart gone here.

And by the way, if all the quarterback injuries, an argument could be made that the dart injury is the worst.

SPEAKER_3 (3:38)

No doubt.

Craig Carton (3:39)

Jaden Daniels is coming back. Cable Williams is barely even hurt.

Chris McMonigle (3:42)

Yeah.

SPEAKER_3 (3:42)

My play this weekend.

Chris McMonigle (3:43)

It's a low grade hamstring. It's a dislocated elbow on his non-throwing arm. Yeah. This is the most devastating injury by far.