Giants’ Jaxson Dart Shows Toughness, But Team Wants Smarter Play From Rookie QB
It’s been nearly two weeks since the Giants last took the field, but the sting of that loss to the Patriots still lingers - especially for rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart, who took a beating in his return from concussion protocol. The Giants were outplayed in every phase, falling by three scores, and Dart spent much of the night under siege behind a struggling offensive line.
The biggest blow came early. In the first quarter, linebacker Christian Elliss delivered a punishing hit near the sideline - the kind that makes fans wince and coaches take mental notes.
While some called it a dirty play, interim offensive coordinator Tim Kelly didn’t see it that way. In fact, he put the responsibility squarely on Dart’s shoulders.
“It was a clean hit,” Kelly said. “He’s got to get out of bounds.”
It’s a tough-love message, but one that carries weight. Dart’s legs are a weapon - no question - but Kelly made it clear the rookie has to start learning when to live to fight another down. There weren’t many designed runs in the game plan that night, but Dart still found himself in harm’s way too often, largely due to his own decision-making.
And that’s where the concern starts to creep in.
Dart has now been in concussion protocol four times this season - a staggering number for any player, let alone a 22-year-old quarterback just starting his NFL journey. His return against the Patriots came after missing two straight starts. And while his grit is undeniable, the Giants need more than just toughness from their young signal-caller - they need awareness.
It’s the same lesson every mobile quarterback eventually has to learn: when to slide, when to step out, and when to dial back the hero ball instincts. The best dual-threat QBs - think Josh Allen - know how to pick their spots.
Allen’s physicality is part of his game, sure, but he’s also learned how to protect himself when it counts. That balance is what separates long-term starters from cautionary tales.
Dart’s fire and competitiveness are part of what made him such an intriguing prospect coming out of Ole Miss. Fans loved the edge he played with in college - the willingness to lower his shoulder and fight for extra yards. But that approach doesn’t translate the same way in the NFL, especially when defenders are faster, stronger, and smarter.
Now that Dart is showing flashes of what he can be - despite the losses, despite the hits - the priority shifts. The Giants want to see him stay on the field. They want to see him take control of his health the way he’s starting to take control of the offense.
Kelly, who hasn’t been in his role long, understands the tightrope Dart is walking. The game plan against New England didn’t call for many quarterback runs, especially against a defense that’s been among the league’s best at shutting down the ground game. But even without designed runs, Dart still found himself in too many dangerous spots - often by choice.
That’s the next step in his development. It’s not about taking away what makes him special - it’s about refining it.
Knowing when to go and when to get down. Knowing that sometimes the smartest play is the one that ends with you jogging back to the huddle instead of getting helped up by trainers.
The Giants have a potential franchise quarterback in Jaxson Dart. But potential only matters if it’s available. And right now, the message from the coaching staff is clear: it’s time for Dart to start protecting himself like the franchise cornerstone the team believes he can be.