Giants Betting Big on Matt Nagy to Unlock Jaxson Dart’s Potential
The New York Giants are turning the page once again, this time with John Harbaugh at the helm and a new offensive brain trust in place. After Todd Monken accepted the Cleveland Browns’ head coaching job, Harbaugh pivoted and landed on Matt Nagy-formerly the offensive coordinator for the Kansas City Chiefs-as his choice to lead the Giants' offense. And while Nagy’s head coaching tenure in Chicago had its ups and downs, there’s a growing sense around the league that this second act could be something different.
At the heart of this hire is one very important relationship: Nagy and Jaxson Dart.
Mahomes and Kelce Endorse Nagy to Dart
Before the ink dried on Nagy’s deal with New York, he was already getting votes of confidence from some of the NFL’s biggest names. Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes-who’s worked closely with Nagy in Kansas City-did more than just publicly support his former coordinator for a head coaching gig. He also took the time to speak directly with Dart, the Giants’ young quarterback, offering insight into what it’s like to work under Nagy.
According to multiple sources close to Dart, Mahomes had several conversations with the 2025 rookie, sharing what to expect from Nagy’s coaching style, mindset, and quarterback development approach. And it wasn’t just Mahomes doing the talking-Travis Kelce also weighed in, giving Nagy glowing reviews when Dart reached out to learn more.
Those conversations seemed to leave an impression. Dart, coming off a promising rookie campaign that included 24 total touchdowns against just seven turnovers, came away impressed with what he heard. When your quarterback is already buying into the new offensive architect before training camp even starts, that’s a good sign.
Building a QB-Friendly Staff
Nagy won’t be going it alone. Harbaugh has assembled a staff heavy on experience and quarterback development chops.
Brian Callahan, who previously served as the Bengals' offensive coordinator and had a stint as head coach in Tennessee, will be the Giants' quarterbacks coach and pass-game coordinator. Add in longtime OC Greg Roman-known for his creative run-game designs-and you’ve got a well-rounded offensive brain trust.
For Dart, the setup is tailor-made. Nagy brings a quarterback’s perspective to the role.
He played the position professionally and climbed the coaching ranks as a QBs coach, which means he speaks Dart’s language. That familiarity should help smooth the transition from last year’s system under Mike Kafka, who, like Nagy, got his coaching start under Andy Reid.
The continuity in terminology and play style could be a major asset for a young quarterback looking to make a Year 2 leap.
League-Wide Respect for Nagy’s Offensive Mind
Inside league circles, Nagy still commands respect as an offensive strategist. Chiefs wide receiver Tyquan Thornton recently said Giants fans will love Nagy’s “aggressive” mindset-a sentiment echoed by multiple NFL assistants who spoke anonymously about the hire. They praised Nagy’s passing concepts and his grasp of offensive X’s and O’s.
Pairing Nagy with Roman, who’s built some of the league’s most creative and dominant rushing attacks, is a calculated move. It gives the Giants a dual-threat offensive approach-one that could cater to Dart’s mobility and arm talent while building a more balanced, unpredictable attack.
The Real Test Begins Soon
Of course, all the praise and optimism won’t mean much once the games start. Nagy’s real evaluation begins when Dart takes his first meaningful snap in this new offense. But the early signs-from the quarterback’s buy-in to the staff’s experience to the league’s respect for Nagy’s play design-suggest the Giants are setting the stage for something bigger.
If Dart takes that next step, don’t be surprised if we look back at this coaching combo as the turning point. The Giants are betting that Matt Nagy can do for Jaxson Dart what he helped do for Mahomes in Kansas City: unlock the full potential of a talented young quarterback.