Aside from Jaxson Dart at QB1, the New York Giants seemed to have done everything right over the offseason. They brought in an experienced head coach in John Harbaugh. They didn’t overpay for wide receiver Wan’Dale Robinson, and instead used that money to fill needs on the roster. They sold defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence for a premium pick in the draft, and made two smart selections in the top ten.
That might be all for nothing with Dart still under center. As a quarterback who struggled to stay on the field his rookie season, getting blown up in their first preseason game and making a return to the blue tent was not a good sign for what’s to come.
Lack of Awareness
Dart was a pleasant surprise last season for the Giants. There was some criticism for selecting him with the 25th overall pick in 2025, but once he got his first start in Week 4 of last year, he showed some promise. His elevation to the starting role was a sign that winning games wasn’t the expectation, but rather seeing what they had in the unpolished prospect. Dart had some really nice games as a dual-threat. Not overly efficient, but he was still productive.
Dart’s issues came in the form of taking far too many sacks and unnecessary hits. They proved costly, sidelining him with a concussion in Week 10. In total, he went through five concussion tests during his rookie season. Availability is the best ability for quarterbacks more often than not, and he has yet to show the ability to stay on the field.
Dart returned to the blue tent in his first preseason game this year. A missed assignment and his inability to diagnose a rusher before the play ended with a huge hit. His lack of awareness didn’t end in that moment off the field, but came with him after the game. Instead of showing understanding that taking sacks is detrimental to his health and his team, Dart was “puzzled” by the rate of concussion protocols he has gone through in his career. The Giants signal caller defended his reckless style last season, stating:
“I’m going to get hit if I’m in the pocket or outside the pocket. I feel like I played this way my whole entire life. It shouldn’t be any shocker to anybody if you followed along with my career…You’re going to get hit. Things happen. It’s just part of the game.”
A comment like that might have made sense coming from a Cam Newton or a Josh Allen. They were both more highly touted prospects and had the frames to absorb those hits. Tom Brady was also a giant, but he was smart enough to understand the importance of avoiding injury. Quarterbacks are going to get hit, but there is no reason to have it happen more than it needs to.
Giant Disappointment
Dart’s inability to stay healthy is going to cost the Giants heavily. They have been a hot pick to make the playoffs this year, but it seems like that possibility lessens by the day. The Browns are the butt of jokes surrounding a great roster but incompetence at quarterback. When on the field, Dart is definitively better than anyone Cleveland can roll out, but it looks like that won’t be the case consistently enough.
Dart clearly has the physical abilities to be a relevant starting quarterback in this league. He has a solid arm and above-average mobility. It’s not abnormal that refining those traits and developing his decision-making is something he needs to work on. The problem is that his decision-making is not throwing bad picks, but getting himself hurt.
What was supposed to be a breakout year for the new-look Giants looks like it’s bound to be another disappointment because of ineptitude at the most important position. Dart’s 35 sacks in 14 games last year were far too many, and taking two more in 16 plays this weekend is not a good sign for things to come this season.
