The speculation popped up before the Giants could even finish catching their breath from a statement win â whispers that New York might still entertain drafting Fernando Mendoza if the opportunity fell into their lap.
But Jaxson Dart didnât blink. The rookie starter didnât duck the question, didnât dance around the noise, and certainly didnât treat the rumor mill like something that needed to be politely tiptoed around.
Instead, he reaffirmed his direction: he expects to lead this team well beyond his rookie season â and heâs not entertaining any narrative that says otherwise.
Dart Pushes Back: âI Know Iâm Going to Be Here a Long Timeâ
When asked about the report from NFL insider Ian Rapoport linking the Giants to Mendoza â a potential top pick with a Heisman pedigree â Dart didnât bother feigning surprise. He acknowledged the chatter, then dismissed it with the kind of confidence that signals heâs making his case not only with words, but through steady growth on the field.
âIâm going to continue to play my ball. I know Iâm going to be here for a very long time,â Dart said, putting his stance on record without hedging. He doubled down on his belief in the locker room, speaking about the young core as if itâs the start of a foundation â not a temporary stage in a rebuild.
After a dismal performance against the Minnesota Vikings in which Dart went 7 for 13 for just 33 yards, Dart bounced back in a big way in Las Vegas. The rookie signal-caller went 22 of 30 passing for 207 yards and ran for two scores in Sundayâs victory, reminding fans and decision-makers about his prowess and potential to lead New York out of their misery.
And when Giants beat reporter Charlotte Carroll threw him a curveball postgame, he didnât get into a back-and-forth over the Mendoza hype, nor did he treat it like disrespect. Dart reframed the conversation back toward what he controls: development, results, and leadership. It didnât read as insecurity â it read as intent.
Support Inside the Building as Giants Rally Around Their QB
Interim head coach Mike Kafka didnât leave the affirmation solely to his quarterback. Asked about the same speculation, he publicly backed Dart as a player the franchise can win with in the long term.
âHeâs learning every day, absorbing as much as he can, and putting his own fingerprint on things,â Kafka said. âThatâs whatâs most important is you see the growth and you see a player thatâs continuing to learn from the good, the bad, and continuing to take steps forward and continuing to step up and rise to the occasion when things arenât great.”
The message from the coach matched the message from the quarterback: yes, draft season always brings temptation, but New York believes Dart has the tools and temperament to grow into the role that matters most in the building.
It may all be a moot point with the Giants’ win over the Raiders, as Las Vegas is inclined to take Mendoza should they remain at first overall. But as good as the Heisman Trophy winner might be, Big Blue has landed on someone that they feel is good enough to be their next franchise quarterback, which is no guarantee even among high draft selections.
The Giants have endured roster bruise after roster bruise in recent seasons, but stability at quarterback has remained the missing ingredient. Dartâs response â and Kafkaâs endorsement alongside it â hinted at a franchise determined to end that cycle rather than restart it every April.
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