Theo Johnson Is Earning Respect-and Targets-in a Lost Giants Season
The New York Giants may be trudging through another forgettable season, but not everything coming out of East Rutherford is doom and gloom. Amid the setbacks and injuries, a few bright spots have emerged-and one of the brightest is the growing chemistry between rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart and second-year tight end Theo Johnson.
Let’s be real: Dart hasn’t had much to work with. With Malik Nabers and Cam Skattebo both sidelined for the season, the first-rounder has been forced to lean on a thinner receiving corps. But that’s where Johnson has stepped up-quietly at first, then loudly enough to catch the attention of one of the NFL’s premier tight ends.
George Kittle Sees Something Special
On a recent podcast appearance with Jordan Schultz and Draymond Green, 49ers star George Kittle was asked about the league’s emerging tight ends. He didn’t hesitate to name-drop Theo Johnson, alongside Dalton Kincaid and Harold Fannin Jr.
That’s not casual praise. When a six-time Pro Bowler and five-time All-Pro like Kittle singles you out, it means you're doing something right.
Kittle highlighted Johnson’s playmaking ability and pointed to the budding connection with Dart as something to watch. And he’s not wrong-Dart has clearly started to trust his 6'6", 264-pound tight end, especially in high-leverage situations like the red zone.
Stat Sheet Progress, Eye Test Growth
Through 13 games, Johnson has hauled in 42 catches for 456 yards and five touchdowns. Those numbers won’t light up fantasy leaderboards, but for a former fourth-round pick still carving out his role, they’re a strong indication that he's trending in the right direction. More importantly, they reflect his growing importance in the offense.
Johnson and wideout Wan’Dale Robinson have emerged as Dart’s go-to options, but the connection with Johnson carries a different weight. Dart is starting to lean on him as a safety valve-especially when the field shrinks and the pressure ramps up. That kind of trust between a young quarterback and his tight end can be the foundation of something long-term.
Cleaning Up the Drops, Locking Down the Job
One of the knocks on Johnson during his rookie campaign was his tendency to drop catchable passes. That issue?
It’s been cut in half this season. With a larger role and more responsibility, Johnson has cleaned up his hands and shown he can be reliable when it counts.
He’s also firmly taken hold of the TE1 spot on the depth chart. Daniel Bellinger, once seen as a potential challenger for snaps, has taken a back seat as Johnson continues to evolve into a more complete player.
Kittle Sees Himself in Johnson
While Kittle didn’t mention it on the podcast, he and Johnson worked together at Tight End University this past offseason. It’s no coincidence that Kittle sees a bit of himself in the Penn State product-both were Day 3 picks, both had to grind for recognition, and both play with a chip on their shoulder.
That’s the kind of mentorship and validation that can go a long way for a young tight end still finding his ceiling.
A Glimmer in the Gloom
The Giants still have plenty of questions to answer this offseason, but the Dart-to-Johnson connection is one they can feel good about. In a season where not much has gone right, this pairing has quietly become one of the more encouraging developments for Big Blue.
Theo Johnson isn’t a finished product-not yet. But he’s starting to look like a foundational piece for a franchise desperately in need of long-term building blocks. And if George Kittle’s endorsement is any indication, Johnson’s just getting started.