The New York Giants’ offense continues to search for rhythm, and Sunday’s 29-21 loss to the Washington Commanders offered another tough snapshot of just how disjointed things remain-particularly in the passing game. One of the most glaring moments came just before halftime, when quarterback Jaxson Dart was picked off on a play that underscored a lack of chemistry with wide receiver Jalin Hyatt.
After the game, Dart didn’t shy away from the miscue, saying he and Hyatt “weren’t on the same page.” That much was clear.
But if you dig into the tape, the breakdown wasn’t just about miscommunication-it was about execution. And Hyatt’s route, or lack thereof, is drawing sharp criticism from those who know the nuances of NFL route running.
Former offensive lineman and current analyst Brian Baldinger, known for his no-nonsense film sessions, didn’t hold back in his assessment. In his latest “Baldy’s Breakdowns,” he zeroed in on Hyatt’s effort-or what he saw as a lack of it-on the dig route that led to the interception.
“Can Jaxson Dart get just a little bit of help?” Baldinger asked, clearly frustrated.
“Jalin Hyatt here is going to run this dig route, this box cut right here. And, it’s a horrible route.
That’s not how you run a route. You don’t round it off.
You don’t slow down. You drop your weight and YOU RUN A BOX CUT is what you do!
You go sharp to separate from that corner … You don’t run a route like this. He lets the corner jump right in front of him.
It’s a terrible route. He slows down, he’s not sharp.”
That’s as blunt as it gets-and it’s hard to argue with the tape. Hyatt’s route lacked the precision and urgency needed to create separation, and the defender had no trouble jumping the route for the pick.
Dart threw the ball on time, expecting his receiver to be in position. He wasn’t.
This is the kind of mistake that goes beyond a single play. It speaks to trust between a young quarterback and his receivers, and right now, that trust just isn’t there.
Hyatt, a third-round pick in 2023, came into the league with plenty of speed and big-play potential. The Giants even traded up with the Rams to grab him at No. 73 overall, a move that signaled belief in his upside. But so far, that upside has been hard to find.
Through two seasons, Hyatt has just 13 receptions and 36 total catches in 41 career games-not exactly the production you hope for from a Day 2 pick. And Sunday’s game marked his first action since Week 11 against the Packers. He played only four snaps.
Now, it’s worth noting that route running was one of the concerns surrounding Hyatt coming out of college. He was a burner at Tennessee, but the NFL demands more than just straight-line speed.
It demands precision, timing, and the ability to win against physical coverage. That’s what separates a role player from a reliable target.
For Dart, who’s still trying to find his footing as the Giants’ signal-caller, moments like this are especially frustrating. He needs help from his receivers, especially in key moments. When that help doesn’t come, drives stall, mistakes happen, and games slip away.
The Giants are in evaluation mode across the board, and performances like Sunday’s don’t help Hyatt’s case for more playing time. The talent is there, but at this level, talent has to be matched with discipline and execution.
That dig route wasn’t just a bad play-it was a missed opportunity. And right now, the Giants can’t afford many more of those.