The New York Giants have high hopes for quarterback Jaxson Dart heading into his second season in the NFL.
After all, the expectation is that he’s the team’s franchise guy for at least the next decade.
The 2025 first-round pick tantalized in his rookie season. In 14 appearances, the Ole Miss standout completed 63.7% of his passes, tossed 15 touchdowns to five interceptions, and threw for 2,272 yards.
He even showed off his rushing ability, carrying the ball 86 times for 487 yards and nine touchdowns.
But there’s one thing that Dart needs to do in 2026 to shake off concerns about his game, and that’s staying healthy.
Jaxson Dart Focusing on Avoiding Contact
The New York Giants quarterback plays a dangerous style of football, running straight into defenders to pick up extra yards, for better or for worse.
The former 25th overall pick suffered a concussion against the Chicago Bears in Week 10 last season that forced him to miss two games.
If Dart wants to be the Giants’ franchise quarterback, he’ll need to make sure he keeps himself safe when he’s on the field, and it appears that’s something he’s focusing on this offseason.
“Yeah, that was one of our first meetings with coach (Brian) Callahan, just pulling up my tape and just going over situationally, like is it worth the risk here in this situation? And that’s what we talked about a ton, is just situationally, just being smart,” Dart told reporters.
“Having the experience last year sitting out two games…I just hated that time of not being out there with my teammates. So I obviously understand the most important thing is to be out there. So you just grow and learn from things, and yeah, I think I’m gonna do a good job at it this year for sure.”
It’s a positive change of pace to see Dart and the new Giants coaching staff put an emphasis on the young quarterback taking care of himself.
At times last year, especially under former head coach Brian Daboll, it felt like New York was okay with the youngster putting himself in harm’s way just to make a play.
That won’t be the case under John Harbaugh and new OC Brian Callahan, but that doesn’t necessarily mean Dart won’t be utilizing his legs.
Jaxson Dart Is Still a Dual-Threat QB
Just because the New York Giants quarterback is going to do a better job of protecting himself doesn’t mean he won’t be scrambling at all.
Dart’s ability to take off is what makes him an exciting young signal caller, and he believes he’s currently in the best shape of his football career.
“Yeah, I think that I’m probably the most mobile that I’ve been in my career right now…The disassociation from the upper body to my lower body, being able to make throws. I think that my body’s in the best shape it’s been,” Dart continued.
We may not see Dart take off from the pocket like he did 89 times for the Giants last season, but there will still be plenty of plays for him to make with his legs.
What matters most is when he decides to take off, and if he can get down safely, or get out of bounds without taking a massive hit.
If he can figure that out, the 23-year-old should be just fine heading into Year 2.
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