John Harbaugh Bets Big on Jaxson Dart with Matt Nagy Hire
John Harbaugh made headlines Tuesday morning when he named Matt Nagy the new offensive coordinator of the New York Giants. After weeks of speculation surrounding who would take the reins of Big Blue’s offense, Harbaugh turned to a familiar face - the former Kansas City Chiefs OC and ex-Bears head coach - to help shape the future of his young quarterback, Jaxson Dart.
It’s a move that raised eyebrows, and not necessarily in excitement. Let’s call it what it is: a safe hire, not a splashy one.
Nagy brings experience and a solid offensive résumé, but his track record with young quarterbacks has been, at best, mixed. And that’s putting it kindly.
Still, Harbaugh’s decision says a lot - not just about Nagy, but about how he views Dart.
The Nagy Quarterback Tree: A Mixed Bag
When you look at the quarterbacks Nagy has worked with during their early years - Mitch Trubisky, Justin Fields, and yes, even Patrick Mahomes - the results have been all over the map. Trubisky and Fields both struggled to find their footing under Nagy’s watch in Chicago, and neither has managed to lock down a long-term starting role since. That’s a tough pill to swallow for any offensive-minded coach whose job was to develop them.
But then there’s Mahomes. In 2017, Nagy was the Chiefs’ offensive coordinator during Mahomes’ rookie season, helping lay the groundwork for what would become one of the most prolific careers in NFL history.
Now, to be clear, Mahomes didn’t become Mahomes because of Nagy - but he also didn’t stall out under him either. And that counts for something.
So what does this mean for Dart?
Harbaugh’s Vote of Confidence
Let’s be real: Harbaugh knows exactly what Nagy did - and didn’t - accomplish in Chicago. He knows the criticism.
He knows the limitations. And he still made the hire.
That tells you everything you need to know about how highly he thinks of his 22-year-old quarterback.
Harbaugh isn't asking Nagy to mold a raw prospect from scratch. He’s betting that Dart is already ahead of where Fields and Trubisky were when they entered the league - and the numbers back that up.
Take a look at how Dart stacks up against Fields and Trubisky after their respective rookie seasons:
| Rookie Season Stats | Jaxson Dart | Justin Fields | Mitch Trubisky |
|---|
| Record | 4-8 | 2-8 | 4-8 | | Passing Yards | 2,272 | 1,870 | 2,193 |
| Passing TDs | 15 | 7 | 7 | | Completion % | 63.7% | 58.9% | 59.4% |
| Total QBR | 57.6 | 31.4 | 33.3 | | Rushing Yards | 487 | 420 | 248 |
| Rushing TDs | 9 | 2 | 2 | | Turnovers | 7 | 15 | 10 |
Dart didn’t just edge out the other two - he outperformed them across the board. More touchdowns, fewer turnovers, better efficiency, and more impact as a runner. He looked like a quarterback in control, even while taking his lumps on a rebuilding team.
That’s the kind of profile that gives a coach like Harbaugh confidence. Not just in the player, but in the idea that he doesn’t need to be “fixed.”
He needs to be guided. Supported.
Elevated.
A Strategic Fit, Not a Savior
Nagy isn’t being brought in to reinvent the wheel - he’s here to keep it turning. He’s a high-floor hire who knows how to run an NFL offense, manage a quarterback room, and install a system that can be tailored to a young passer’s strengths. That gives Harbaugh the flexibility to get creative with the rest of his offensive staff - particularly at quarterbacks coach and passing game coordinator, two roles that could bring fresh ideas to the table.
In other words, this isn’t about Nagy saving Dart. It’s about Harbaugh believing Dart is already good enough to thrive - even with a coordinator whose past results with young QBs haven’t exactly turned heads.
The Bottom Line
This move isn’t about Matt Nagy’s past. It’s about Jaxson Dart’s future.
Harbaugh is staking his early Giants tenure on a young quarterback who’s already shown he can handle the spotlight, make plays with his arm and legs, and limit mistakes. And he’s pairing him with a coordinator who, while not flashy, brings structure and experience to the equation.
It’s a calculated bet - one that says more about Dart’s potential than it does about Nagy’s résumé.
Believe in the kid. Believe in Harbaugh. Believe in the vision.