The New York Giants got off to a fantastic start in 2026, and it brought smiles to Malik Naber's face. And ESPN’s Dan Orlovsky is all-in on the Giants and quarterback Jaxson Dart after the big Week 1 win over the Cowboys.

Orlovsky said Dart showed something new this season, according to the Pat McAfee Show.

“The fastest he has played with his eyes since he came into the NFL,” Orlovsky said. “The (Isaiah) Likely matchups that were created. I like the fact that they got him onto the perimeter. But I think the recognition was a big deal. I was really impressed with the way Jaxson played.”

Giants QB Jaxson Dart off to a rousing start

Orlovsky said the Giants’ offense schemes made a big difference for Dart.

“The matchups that allowed him to kind of think clearly and think quickly, I think, were the really big difference makers,” Orlovsky said.

And the Giants as a team looked like a team that might surprise everybody this season.

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“They looked legit,” Orlovsky said. “This is not a fluke. The tape was not a fluke. And I would say this, too. The Giants defensive line dominated. Dominated. One-on-ones. Dominated.”

It looks like the pairing of Dart and John Harbaugh might have some teeth to it. Harbaugh enjoyed the way his young QB played, according to The Athletic.

“For him to have all this on his plate and to execute the way he did, to me, was just tremendous and very impressive,” Harbaugh said. “It was a great performance by Jaxson.”

Dart said he likes the new plan.

“I felt very comfortable,” Dart said. “I thought that we just did a really good job of staying in progress throughout the game. I thought (Nagy) called an awesome game, and I thought the guys just played really, really hard. So it made my job a lot easier, and guys all over the place made a ton of plays, so I’m excited about that.

“The O-line did a great job of just showing that we can pass-pro in those situations, in crucial ‘got-to-have-it’ third downs.”