The 2025 season was a turning point for the New York Giants, and at the heart of that renaissance were two dynamic rookies who helped reshape expectations for the franchise’s future.
Quarterback Jaxson Dart and outside linebacker Abdul Carter have been officially named finalists for the prestigious Associated Press NFL Rookie of the Year awards — Dart for Offensive Rookie of the Year and Carter for Defensive Rookie of the Year — marking one of the brightest rookie storylines in the league this season.
Dart’s Breakout: A New Franchise Signal-Caller Rises
Selected 25th overall in the 2025 NFL Draft, Dart entered the league under the pressure of expectation and uncertainty — a first-round quarterback on a rebuilding Giants team. Rather than wilt under the spotlight, he delivered one of the most productive rookie quarterback seasons in franchise history.
By the end of the season, Dart led all rookie quarterbacks in rushing yards (487), rushing touchdowns (9), and passer rating (91.7) — numbers that reflect both his dual-threat explosiveness and his adaptation to the NFL’s pace. He finished the year with 24 total touchdowns against just six turnovers, an efficiency that speaks to his poise and decision-making even amid the inevitable growing pains of a first season.
His nine rushing touchdowns set a new Giants franchise record for a rookie quarterback and rank second among all rookie QBs in the Super Bowl era — trailing only Cam Newton’s historic 2011 campaign. That kind of statistical production from a first-year signal-caller not only rejuvenated a struggling passing attack but gave New York a legitimate building block at its most important position.
Additionally, Dart is also a finalist for the Pepsi Zero Sugar NFL Rookie of the Year Award, which will be decided by fan vote — a testament to his popularity and impact beyond just the professional voters.
Carter’s Impact: A Defensive Force Emerging
On the other side of the ball, Abdul Carter, the Giants’ third overall pick, has quietly developed into one of the most disruptive defensive rookies in the NFL.
Carter finished the year with 43 total tackles, 23 quarterback hits, four sacks, two forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries — a stat line that illustrates his ability to impact games in multiple phases. Beyond traditional metrics, he also paced all rookie defenders in quarterback pressures. He ranked among the league’s top edge rushers in quick pressure frequency, showcasing traits NFL evaluators covet most: burst, leverage, and relentless pursuit.
Despite enduring a couple of disciplinary setbacks early in the season — including benchings that could have derailed a less-focused player — Carter finished strong, producing nearly half of his sacks and several of his biggest plays in the final quarter of the Giants’ campaign. His work earned him a spot on the Pro Football Writers of America’s All-Rookie Team, highlighting a season that included both adversity and growth.
A Rare Pair of Finalists — and a Franchise Statement
It’s a testament to both Dart and Carter’s seasons that they ended up in rarefied company. Should either take home their award at the NFL Honors ceremony on Feb. 5, they would become central figures in a franchise narrative that has been searching for hopeful signs. The Giants have only seen three players win AP Rookie of the Year honors in their history — Lawrence Taylor (1981) on defense, Odell Beckham Jr. (2014), and Saquon Barkley (2018) on offense.
Even more compelling is that the Giants could become just the fifth pair of teammates to win both Offensive and Defensive Rookie of the Year in the same season — a feat last accomplished by C.J. Stroud and Will Anderson Jr. in 2023.
Beyond the individual accolades, Dart and Carter’s recognition signals a foundational shift for the Giants’ roster trajectory. Dart’s emergence stabilizes the most consequential position in football and gives the Giants a quarterback capable of leading a new era. Carter’s disruptive rookie year promises a defensive cornerstone around which New York can build pass rush schemes for years to come.
With John Harbaugh now having taken over as head coach, he has a solid foundation to work with to rebuild the Giants into contenders. Led by Dart and Carter, Big Blue will be returning offensive talent and boasts one of the top defensive lines in the NFL. It is now up to New York to maximize the talent they already have.
Giants’ Rookie Duo Earns Major NFL Award Finalist Honors