Both the New York Giants and the New York Jets have had disappointing seasons. The Jets have not played a playoff game since 2010 and the Giants have only been there once since 2016. This season, the Giants, who are 15th in the National Football Conference, have won two games and lost nine, while the Jets are 15th in the AFC with a 1-7 record.
Even though it has been a disappointing couple of seasons in New York, there are reasons for New Yorkers to become excited. The Giants have drafted well in recent years and the Jets have acquired multiple first-rounders for future NFL drafts.
On Nov. 4, the Jets traded away two-time Pro Bowl cornerback Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner for two first-round picks and wide receiver Adonai Mitchell from the Indianapolis Colts. The Dallas Cowboys traded for defensive lineman Quinnen Williams, sending the Jets a first and a second round pick, as well as defensive tackle Mazi Smith.
For the next two years, the Jets have obtained two firsts and two second-round picks in 2026 and three first-rounders in 2027. This gives the Jets a great opportunity to rebuild for the future and fix their quarterback problem. Current quarterback Justin Fields is ranked 29th in ESPN’s Quarterback Rating and has recorded five TDs, which is 32nd in the league.
The number of first-round picks should get Jets fans excited, however, they do not have a great history of drafting quarterbacks. The Jets’ last two first-round quarterback picks were Zach Wilson and Sam Darnold, who both showed talent and ability in college but never delivered for the Jets. Wilson is now second string behind Tua Tagovailoa for the Miami Dolphins, but Darnold has found form in Seattle. Darnold is ranked second in QBR with a score of 77.7 compared to Fields’ 38.1.
The Giants have drafted well and can look ahead as their first round picks develop. In the 2025 draft, they selected a potential franchise QB by moving up to acquire Jaxson Dart. He won the starting spot over Russell Wilson in week four. So far in his rookie season, Dart has thrown 10 touchdowns and had five rushing touchdowns with a QBR of 61.2. Dart has done this in a Giants season plagued with injuries. Last year’s first-round pick Malik Nabers tore his ACL in week four, which sidelined him until next season.
The Giants have missed Nabers this season, who ranked seventh in receiving yards and fifth in total receptions in his rookie season. Another standout draft pick this year by the Giants has been Cameron Skattebo, who had seven touchdowns before a season ending injury in week eight. Also, the third overall pick in this year’s draft, Abdul Carter, has impressed this season. Currently in his rookie season, he is 15th in edge pass-rush win rate, but Carter has areas to improve on with only 0.5 sacks this year compared to the 12 sacks he recorded in his last year at Penn State, according to the NCAA.
The future of New York football is looking bright. Despite a disappointing season for both teams Jets fans can look forward to the upcoming drafts, and Giants fans can watch Dart’s and Carter’s development and wait for Naber’s and Skattebo’s return next season. Hopefully, New Yorkers can soon watch their teams in the playoffs and potentially even a Super Bowl.
