The first Sunday Night Football of the 2026 NFL season will feature a heated showdown between two NFC East rivals with star starting quarterbacks. Jaxson Dart and Dak Prescott will go head to head at MetLife Stadium. It will be the second time both franchise QBs meet.

After a busy summer with multiple appearances in television and across the country, Jameis Winston will resume his NFL quarterback duties and be the Giants’ backup signal-caller against the Cowboys. As for the Cowboys, Sam Howell will be the backup quarterback in Week 1 behind Prescott.

Emergency quarterbacks

In the NFL, teams must always brace for the worst and prepare for injuries that could potentially derail even the best of game plans. Although both sides will roll into Sunday night’s matchup with a two-man QB room, they have named their third emergency quarterbacks.

New York will count on Jake Haener as its emergency QB, while Dallas will have Joe Milton III in that role. Both quarterbacks share a similarity in that they were released and re-signed to the practice squad.

Per NFL rules, emergency QBs can only be activated if both the starting and backup quarterbacks are injured. If that happens, both the G-Men and the Boys will be in much more trouble than simply playing Haener or Milton, respectively.

Dart’s stats against Cowboys

Although he’s only played once against Dallas in his NFL career, Dart is 1-0 against America’s Team. Dart earned the win over the Cowboys in Week 18 of the 2025 NFL season and will vie to do so again in Week 1 of the new season. Last year, in his lone appearance against Dem Boys, Dart completed 22 of 32 pass attempts for 230 yards and two touchdowns while rushing for 32 yards.

Not only will Nagy call Dart and the Giants’ offensive plays in Week 1 of the 2026 NFL season against the Cowboys, he will hold the play sheet throughout the year. It’s not too surprising considering Harbaugh isn’t typically a play-caller.

However, Nagy did have a surprise of his own. Contrary to what he’s done for most of his career, the Giants‘ offensive coordinator won’t be on the sidelines at MetLife Stadium on Sunday night. Instead, he will be watching—and calling the shots—from upstairs.

“I am [calling the plays], I’m going to be up in the box,” Nagy admitted during a press conference on Thursday. “I’m excited about it. I’ve always been down on the field. I wanted to experiment with that in the preseason and I was able to do that. I really liked it, you can see a lot more from up there. It takes away a little bit of the on-the-field element of being able to communicate all the time. But there’s a calm in the box.”

Nagy’s play-calling history

Indeed, Harbaugh hasn’t been one to call the plays often throughout his NFL career. That was a big tell on Nagy’s responsibility with New York, but fans still needed to hear confirmation. During his stint as offensive coordinator for the Kansas City Chiefs, Nagy designed many of the plays that helped Kansas City win back-to-back Super Bowls, but he didn’t call them during games. Head coach Andy Reid did that.

During his lone tenure as an NFL head coach, Nagy started off as the Chicago Bears’ play-caller, but he gave up those duties midway through his third year on the job (2020 season). During the 2021 NFL season, he was on and off as the Bears’ play-caller.

Thus, Nagy’s last game as pure play-caller was on Nov. 8, 2020, when Nagy’s Bears were shut out for three quarters by Mike Vrabel’s Tennessee Titans and ended up losing 24-17. Nagy has called plays during games since, but on an inconsistent basis. For his grand opening, return act, Nagy will employ a different method, abandoning his post on the sideline and setting up shop in the sky in a booth.

Different experience in the booth

Being in a booth has its fair share of pros and cons. Nagy understands that, and he voiced a confident statement ahead of his first true game-day experience away from the noise and emotion-fueled atmosphere at ground level.

“For me, first time in this role as a play-caller OC, being up in that box I just feel like I can see things a lot better and have the ultimate trust in the staff and being able to see things they can communicate to me. We got the telephone, too, so I can always jump on the phone with Jaxson [Dart] if I need to,” Nagy stated.

If need be, Nagy can always bring Dart to the sideline and have a heart-to-heart talk over the phone. It’s not the same, and it never is, but it can also take away some of the drama, as the Giants will have their every move watched and scrutinized on Sunday night. A discussion between Dart and Nagy would fill newspapers from sea to shining sea, so it may be best to save that for a phone call and later inside the locker room.

Dart already has experience playing meaningful NFL football, but this will be different. In 2025, Russell Wilson opened the season as the Giants’ starting quarterback, meaning Dart never had to carry the responsibility of being the starter in Week 1. Now, with the organization fully committed to him, the spotlight will be firmly on Dart when New York hosts Dallas at MetLife Stadium.

The Cowboys enter the matchup as favorites, and the Giants are looking to prove that the new Harbaugh era can immediately change the team’s trajectory. For Dart, it is an opportunity to make a statement against a division rival, and Harbaugh’s latest comments suggest the Giants have complete confidence in his preparation heading into the opener.

John Harbaugh sends clear message to Cowboys about QB Jaxson Dart

John Harbaugh believes Jaxson Dart is as prepared as he could possibly be for his first season opener as an NFL starter. The Giants coach emphasized the amount of work Dart has put in throughout the offseason and training camp, while acknowledging that playing quarterback at the NFL level comes with enormous challenges. For Harbaugh, however, Dart’s preparation and attention to detail have left him confident that the young quarterback is ready for Dallas.

“I know he’s prepared. He couldn’t have prepared any more or work any harder, or been more determined to be ready. I know he knows the game plan. Quarterback’s tough. You know, i’m horrible. I never played quarterback. I was defensive back. Jaxson has done a great job. He’s worked really hard. He’s diligent. He wants to do well. He wants to understand everything inside out. He wants to be sharp and on point. So, he’s prepared to play.”

That confidence is important considering what is at stake for Dart. The Giants drafted him as their potential long-term answer at quarterback, and now the organization is giving him the keys to the offense entering his second NFL season. He will have to deal with the pressure of a primetime division matchup immediately, but the coaching staff believes his preparation has put him in position to handle it.

Dart has also spent the offseason working extensively within Matt Nagy’s offensive system and against the Giants’ defense, which Harbaugh and the team have viewed as valuable preparation for the regular season. Now the quarterback gets his first chance to show that work translates when the games count, with Dallas providing the first major test of the new Giants era.

For the Cowboys, the message from Harbaugh is clear: the Giants are not entering Week 1 simply hoping their young quarterback can survive. New York believes Dart is ready to deliver an upset, and if the second-year quarterback performs at the level his coach expects, he could make the opener much more difficult for Dallas than many expect. Sunday’s matchup will provide the first real indication of whether Dart is ready to become the face of the Giants’ offense.

According to Jordan Raanan of ESPN, “[Jaxson] Dart has spoken glowingly about Winston’s influence and support. The duo has worked seamlessly over the past 18 months.”

Given how interchangeable backup quarterbacks are in the NFL, this action by Dart might as well have been the deciding point for the Giants to grant Winston the extension.

Dart’s words are backed up by Winston’s reputation

While no one will argue that Jameis Winston is an elite quarterback, he has a reputation of being an incredible teammate and a welcomed addition to any NFL locker room.

Also, as a backup, he is pretty serviceable. Winston goes all out and has a huge arm. However, it’s his mistake-prone style of play that slowly took his ability to be a starter in the NFL. Still, one could argue he is one of the best backups in the league.

Jameis Winston’s NFL stats

Jameis Winston has played 108 regular-season games, throwing for 24,792 passing yards, 156 passing touchdowns, and 113 interceptions. His QB record is 36-53 and has an 86.3 passer rating.

Winston is a former first overall pick back in 2015. He played for four seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, New Orleans Saints, Cleveland Browns, and now the New York Giants.

“Really just proud of him. He came in here, he earned it. He got better each and every week and he’s playing his best ball since he got here right now,” the quarterback said speaking to the press after practice.

In East Rutherford, there is growing excitement about an elite offense, with Dart entering the season with more experience and surrounded by players with plenty of NFL experience. Can this duo make a statement and ultimately win the NFC East?

Dart enters his sophomore season more settled

Jaxson Dart enters his second year as a professional with a much firmer grasp of the offense, having transition-tested his dual-threat style after taking over starting duties mid-season. Despite step-up pressures and rookie growing pains, his poise under center improved down the stretch, showing smart decision-making and protecting the football while adding a dangerous mobility element in the red zone.

In 14 games (12 starts) during his 2025 rookie campaign with the Giants, Dart completed 216 of 339 passes (63.7%) for 2,272 yards, 15 touchdowns, and just 5 interceptions, posting a solid 91.7 passer rating while adding 487 yards and 9 scores on the ground.

OBJ’s last NFL appearance

OBJ’s last stint in the NFL came with the Miami Dolphins in 2024, where his role was reduced to that of a veteran depth piece. Dealing with injuries and limited snaps in a crowded receiver room, Beckham Jr. appeared in nine games without a start, recording nine receptions on 18 targets for 55 yards and no touchdowns before being released late in the season.

Dart’s excitement about having Nabers

John Harbaugh’s receiving corps for the upcoming season features five players, with Malik Nabers standing out as the top name. Dart, who often relies heavily on the passing game, expressed his excitement about having the No. 1 receiver at his disposal.

“Whenever he’s out there on the field, whenever his time is ready for us as a team, I think it’s going to change a lot,” Dart expressed to the press. Nabers will have another chance to make his mark in East Rutherford after suffering a devastating injury last season.

“I think center is a place the Giants will look to upgrade over the next few days,” the New York Post reporter Ryan Dunleavy stated. “Not sure if it will be possible, but I get the sense that they’d like to bring in a viable challenger to John Michael Schmitz.“

Throughout the NFL preseason, the Giants‘ depth at center included veteran Lucas Patrick. However, John Harbaugh and company have decided they can do without the 33-year-old offensive lineman.

NY Giants cut Lucas Patrick

Just as New York released quarterbacks Brandon Allen and Jake Haener to get down to a 53-man roster, the Giants have parted ways with Patrick. “Also among the Giants’ cuts is OL Lucas Patrick, who had a strong camp,” as reported by NFL Network insider Mike Garafolo.

The move means Bryan Hudson, the 25-year-old out of Louisville, is trending toward becoming the backup at center. However, much can change, and the G-Men could bring in a new face—not only to compete for the backup job, but to take over the starting gig altogether.

Protect Dart at all costs

Although Jameis Winston makes for entertaining outings and is one of the best backup quarterbacks in the NFL, the Giants can only go so far without their franchise quarterback under center. New York must make sure Dart stays healthy and pays as few visits to the medical blue tent as possible. Much of that hinges on Dart’s hands and decision-making, but the team has a big role to play as well.

At the very least, the G-Men must provide their QB1 with solid protectors around him. Once he scrambles out of the pocket, Dart is by himself. Coming off a season-ending IR stint late in the 2025 NFL season, Giants center Schmitz is in for a big challenge. While left tackle is usually considered the make-or-break position for an offensive line with a right-handed quarterback, center is just as crucial.

Tasked with snapping the ball on every play, reading the opposing defense before the snap, and alerting his quarterback and line teammates, the center’s job in the NFL is often overlooked. The Giants aren’t making that mistake, though, and are clearly taking a long, careful look at their current situation.

In this way, the quarterback room was left with only one name behind Dart. His primary backup will be the experienced Jameis Winston, while the third option now remains vacant.

It remains to be seen whether the G-Men will ultimately add a new name to this position. Raanan, however, revealed on his X account that Haener could land on the Giants’ practice squad.

The Giants had previously released multiple players, including Isaiah Hodgins, who was expected to become an interesting weapon in the passing game for this team. There is less and less time left until the start of a new season, and every team wants to put together the most competitive roster possible.

The team around Dart

With Dart locked in as the focal point of the franchise in his second year, head coach John Harbaugh and the front office are laser-focused on shaping the offense around his dynamic skill set. Dart showed serious promise during his rookie campaign, putting up 2,272 yards, 15 touchdowns, and just 5 interceptions with a 91.7 passer rating across 14 games (12 starts), alongside 487 rushing yards and 9 scores on the ground.

To help him take that massive year-two leap, the goal in New York is all about upgrading the protection upfront and surrounding him with elite playmakers like Malik Nabers, allowing Harbaugh to fully unlock a balanced, high-octane scheme built for Dart’s dual-threat talent.

One less protector for Dart

The moves continued to happen in East Rutherford, and this time it was the offensive line that was affected. According to Mike Garafolo, who also reported it on X, Lucas Patrick was cut and will not be part of the Giants’ 53-man roster for the upcoming season.

In fact, reports earlier stated that Isaiah Likely was Jaxson Dart’s safety net. Now, according to a stat reported by Dan Duggan of The Athletic, Likely’s role might be absolutely solidified as a key piece on the offense.

Per Duggan, Likely was the player with most catches when Jaxson Dart was throwing the ball throughout training camp. Likely had 44 receptions, which is more than double than the second place, Darnell Mooney (18).

The chemistry is there between Dart and Likely

The good thing about having a reliable tight end is that the quarterback will always have a trustworthy player to throw at for decent gain. While usually not available to get 40 yards in a play, tight ends like Likely are giving 15-20 yards on a consistent basis.

Likely’s snaps remain to be seen because he is not a good blocker. Still, when he is on the field, targets will go his way. Hence, he is a weapon that could perfectly be a difference-maker in this offense.

Likely could be a solution to a Giants issue

Calvin Austin III suffered a season-ending ACL tear which left a huge hole in the slot. Likely could solve that issue by lining up there. Given how good of a pass-catcher he is, Likely could make the Giants not miss Austin III at all.

The decision is somewhat surprising because the Giants had a legitimate reason to consider playing Dart. The second-year quarterback is preparing to lead the offense into the regular season while learning a new system under offensive coordinator Matt Nagy.

Dart has received very little live-game action this preseason, meaning Friday’s matchup represented the final opportunity to give him valuable reps before the Giants open the regular season against the Dallas Cowboys in primetime.

Why isn’t Jaxson Dart playing today vs Jets?

Jaxson Dart will not play against the Jets after Harbaugh decided to give his starting quarterback the night off. The Giants had been weighing whether to give Dart one or two series because of his lack of preseason playing time.

Harbaugh had openly acknowledged that entering a high-stakes regular-season game without recent live-game reps was something the organization needed to consider. However, the Giants ultimately chose caution.

The decision means Dart will enter the regular season without getting the additional game experience that could have helped him adjust to Nagy’s offense. The Giants have undergone significant changes on that side of the ball, making the lack of live reps even more notable.

Who will play at QB for Giants vs Jets?

With Jaxson Dart out, Jameis Winston and Brandon Allen are expected to handle most of the quarterback snaps for the Giants. Winston’s situation is particularly interesting because he is considered the team’s established QB2 and appears to have his roster spot secured. That could limit how much work he receives, allowing Allen to take on a larger role in the preseason finale.

Dart has been one of the biggest storylines surrounding New York throughout the offseason. The Giants are building around the QB, but the coaching staff must now balance protecting him from unnecessary injury risk with giving him enough live-game experience before the regular season begins.

The concern is even greater because Jaxson will make his regular-season debut in one of the most demanding environments imaginable: a home game against the Cowboys, with a loud crowd and significantly higher stakes than anything he has experienced in the preseason.

Jaxson Dart’s lack of playing time with NY Giants

John Harbaugh acknowledged that Jaxson Dart’s limited game action could become an important factor when deciding whether to play him in the Giants’ final preseason game against the Jets.

“That’s a big factor. I don’t know if ‘concern’ is the right word, because a lot of teams do it, but, you haven’t played in a game and now you’re going to go and play in a game under the lights (Cowboys). High stakes. It’s going to be loud. All those things are going to factor in. He hasn’t been out there in that setting for a while.”

The Giants have every reason to be cautious with Dart. He is the centerpiece of the franchise’s future, and exposing him to unnecessary preseason contact carries obvious risks.

At the same time, Harbaugh recognizes that there is a major difference between practicing against teammates and suddenly playing an NFL regular-season game under the lights against the Cowboys. That makes the decision particularly difficult.

Will Jaxson Dart play against the NY Jets?

The Giants have another preseason opportunity this Friday against the New York Jets, but Harbaugh refused to reveal whether Dart will take the field. “I think I’m going to stay consistent with the procedure that we’ve been following all through training camp. I’m just going to leave it up in the air right now. We’ll see where we’re at.”

There is another factor making the situation more complicated. Dart is learning a new offensive system after the arrival of Matt Nagy as offensive coordinator. Harbaugh acknowledged that this is part of the equation when deciding whether Dart needs additional preseason reps. “That’s part of it too. That’s what we got to figure out and decide.”

Malik Willis is expected to play vs Giants according to Yahoo! Sports, especially since backup Quinn Ewers is dealing with a groin injury. Still, it’s not expected for Willis to play a huge portion of the game.

The Dolphins have infamously one of the most doubted rosters in the NFL, especially on offense, and these preseason snaps could help Willis and company to form a bit more chemistry.

Is Jaxson Dart playing for the Giants vs Dolphins?

Jaxson Dart will also play, however, it’s been stated that he will start and play very limited snaps vs. Dolphins. This could mean around a couple of drives at most. The Giants trust Dart already, so there’s no need to risk him much.

Also, reports state that Dart has been dealing in joint practices, making all his wideouts shine. Therefore, the Giants are feeling great on their offensive side and the couple of drives will be for them to get the feel of football back again.

The Giants and Dolphins are in very different positions

The Giants rebuild is one to watch, because if all goes well, they could instantly go from a bad team to a young, brave team with playoffs potential. John Harbaugh‘s head coaching job will transform this team.

As for the Dolphins, they are fully on a rebuild. Malik Willis has never been a starting quarterback, Jeff Hafley is a rookie head coach, and the overall talent on the roster is not dazzling. Hence, their project is merely on baby steps, rather than expecting a leap.