The New York Giants are entering a pivotal offseason, and the priority is clear: build around quarterback Jaxson Dart. The front office just made a move that could shape that mission-for better or worse-by hiring Matt Nagy as the team’s new offensive coordinator.
Nagy’s name carries weight, but not always for the right reasons. Giants fans have every reason to feel a little uneasy about the hire, especially given how his recent track record stacks up. Let’s break it down.
A Promising Start That Fizzled Out
Nagy burst onto the scene in 2018 when he took over as head coach of the Chicago Bears. That year, he led the team to a 12-4 record, a division title, and earned NFL Coach of the Year honors. It looked like the Bears had found their guy-and Nagy had found his groove.
But the magic didn’t last.
Over the next three seasons, Chicago went 22-27. The offense stagnated, and more importantly, quarterback Mitch Trubisky-who the Bears had drafted second overall in 2017-never took that next step. Trubisky finished his time under Nagy with a pedestrian 87.2 passer rating across four seasons, and the Bears’ offense never found a consistent rhythm.
That failure to develop a young quarterback looms large now that Nagy is tasked with shaping Dart’s future in New York.
Back to Kansas City... But Not Quite the Same
After being let go by the Bears in 2022, Nagy returned to the Kansas City Chiefs, where he’d previously served as offensive coordinator in 2017. This time, he rejoined as a quarterbacks coach before being promoted to offensive coordinator in 2023 after Eric Bieniemy’s departure.
Now, working with Patrick Mahomes should be a cheat code for any offensive mind. But under Nagy’s second stint as OC, Mahomes’ numbers took a noticeable dip:
- Passer Rating: Dropped from 106 (2018-22) to 92 (2023-25)
- Touchdown Percentage: Fell from 6.5% to 4.5%
- Interception Percentage: Rose from 1.6% to 2.1%
- Completion Percentage: Slightly dipped from 66.4% to 66%
Of course, it’s not all on Nagy. The Chiefs had their own issues-particularly with the offensive line and a revolving door at wide receiver. But the numbers are what they are, and they show a clear regression during his time as OC.
What This Means for the Giants and Jaxson Dart
The Giants are coming off a 4-13 season, but not all was bleak. Rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart showed real promise, accounting for 24 total touchdowns (15 passing, nine rushing) in 14 games. He did that without his top weapon, wide receiver Malik Nabers, who missed the season with a torn ACL after a Pro Bowl rookie campaign in 2024 that included 1,204 yards in just 15 games.
Dart’s performance earned him a spot as a finalist for Offensive Rookie of the Year. He looked composed, athletic, and confident-even as the offense around him struggled to stay healthy and consistent.
Now, the responsibility falls on Nagy to help Dart take the next step. That’s where the skepticism sets in.
Nagy’s track record with quarterback development is mixed at best. Trubisky didn’t grow under his watch.
Mahomes regressed statistically, even if the Chiefs still found team success. So the question becomes: can Nagy finally tailor an offense to elevate a young, mobile quarterback with raw tools and a high ceiling?
The Bottom Line
This hire is a gamble. The Giants are betting that Nagy’s early success-and his familiarity with high-level offensive schemes-can translate into a developmental win for Jaxson Dart. But if Dart stalls in Year 2, the blame will come quickly, and it’ll land squarely on the new OC’s shoulders.
For now, the pressure is on. The Giants have a young quarterback who just flashed real potential.
They’ve got a star wideout on the mend. And they’ve got a fan base that’s desperate to believe in the future.
It’s up to Matt Nagy to prove he’s the right guy to lead that charge.