Why this feels real for the New York Giants
John Harbaugh and Joe Schoen are in lockstep. There's talent on the roster. Jaxson Dart is the quarterback. It's dangerous to believe anything this time of year... but... but... but...
Quarterback conviction is the most valuable sixth sense anyone in this sport can possess.
Fail to secure hope at this position and, in due time, everyone is fired.
Hit the bull’s eye and you’re immortalized in franchise lore. You’re Ron Wolf retelling the moment you saw something special in Brett Favre.
Of course, even in 2026, it’s harder than ever to get this position right. The NFL draft, like this year’s crop, can be desolate. Very rarely does a talented quarterback make it to free agency. Reclamation projects are a crapshoot. So, here’s a concerning alternate universe for fans of the New York Giants. “You look at this year’s quarterback class,” says one team source. “Can you imagine if we didn’t get Jaxson? Brutal.”
Shudder to think where this NFC East doormat would be if they did not jump back into Round 1 last spring to select Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart. This was a club employing Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston. That draft crept into the 20s and GM Joe Schoen pulled the trigger, dealing the Houston Texans his team’s second-rounder (No. 34), third-rounder (No. 99) and a ’26 third-rounder for the consequential 25th overall pick.
Injuries ravaged personnel around him. L’s have mounted and it cost head coach Brian Daboll his job.
Yet, Dart still managed to dazzle through his 12 starts as a rookie. And it’s exactly those glimmers of hope — coupled with a sneaky accumulation of talent — that helped convince the No. 1 coach on the market to accept this job. John Harbaugh could’ve taken his 193 career wins anywhere. He chose the Giants and, hell no, a man this smart, this experienced is not choosing the Giants if he doesn’t see a roster with building blocks in place.
Declaring any team Offseason Champs is risky business. The Giants haven’t even played a game yet. But from the moment Harbaugh put pen to paper, this team has only gained steam.
Nobody in the NFL has enjoyed a better four months.
The staff is stocked with experience. Into March, he told free agents he’s building a “bully.” The pitch worked. The Giants selected four players in the top 74 who can help immediately: menacing linebacker Arvell Reese, mauling lineman Francis Mauigoa, cornerback Colton Hood and wide receiver Malachi Fields. Reese has a case to make as the best player in the entire draft.
Internally? Everywhere we’re hearing at Go Long is that the Giants have genuine harmony. No easy feat for any team. The relationship between Harbaugh and Schoen has only strengthened. The expectation is for these two to work together in 2026 — and beyond.
There’s hope, real hope, for the New York Giants.
Right?
Right?!
Let’s explore.