Commanders Send a Loud Message About Jaxson Dart - and the NFL Is Listening
The Washington Commanders finally snapped their losing skid with a win over the New York Giants in Week 15, and while the scoreboard told one story, the behind-the-scenes footage from Hard Knocks told another - one that’s resonating around the league.
That story? The NFL is starting to form a clear opinion on Giants rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart. And it’s not exactly flattering.
Dart’s Reckless Style Raising Eyebrows
Let’s start with the basics: Dart had a few flashes against Washington, but overall, it was a tough outing. His 36.0 QBR wasn’t misleading - it reflected a game where he struggled to consistently move the offense and protect himself.
Once again, he was evaluated for a concussion, the fifth time this season he’s either suffered or been checked for one. That’s a staggering number for any player, let alone a rookie quarterback.
And this is where things get complicated. Dart’s playing style is aggressive, sometimes to a fault.
He doesn’t shy away from contact. In fact, he often invites it, fighting for extra yards like a running back.
That mentality might fire up a locker room, but it’s becoming a liability - and opposing teams are taking notice.
Commanders’ Defensive Game Plan: Treat Him Like a Running Back
Washington head coach Dan Quinn didn’t mince words in team meetings leading up to the game. On Hard Knocks, cameras caught him delivering a direct message to his defense about Dart’s tendencies:
“The QB, when he’s out here, he is a running back first. He is not looking to go down and get into the slide, so you’ve got to go out and hit him, fellas, alright?”
Quinn’s directive wasn’t about taking cheap shots - it was about playing physical, smart football against a quarterback who refuses to protect himself. And it wasn’t just Quinn.
Defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr., though not calling plays anymore, echoed the sentiment during game prep. The plan was clear: if Dart was going to run, he was going to be treated like any other ball carrier.
And that’s exactly how it played out.
Dart finished with 63 rushing yards on nine carries, showing off the athleticism that made him a first-round pick. But the Commanders kept him in check just enough to control the game and, more importantly, keep him from taking over with his legs. The message was delivered - and it’s one that’s starting to spread across the league.
The Concussion Concerns Are Mounting
Here’s the reality: five concussion evaluations in 10 games is not sustainable. Not for a quarterback.
Not for anyone. Dart himself has started to feel like he’s being treated differently by defenses because of his injury history - and he’s probably right.
Teams are seeing a pattern, and they’re adjusting accordingly.
That’s not a knock on Dart’s toughness. If anything, he’s shown he’s willing to put his body on the line to make a play.
But in today’s NFL, that kind of fearlessness can quickly become a career-shortening trait. The league is faster, stronger, and more punishing than ever.
And defensive coordinators are watching the tape.
If Dart doesn’t adjust - if he doesn’t learn when to slide, when to throw it away, when to live to fight another down - the hits are going to keep coming. And eventually, one of them might be one too many.
A Familiar Story in Washington
Ironically, the Commanders are dealing with a similar situation of their own. Rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels has also battled injuries this season, and the team has decided to shut him down for the final three games. He’ll still be active in practice, but Washington is clearly prioritizing his long-term health over short-term reps.
Daniels, like Dart, is a dynamic athlete who can change a game with his legs. But as both franchises are learning, there’s a fine line between mobile and reckless. And if either of these young quarterbacks is going to have a long career in the NFL, that line needs to be respected.
The Path Forward for Dart
Dart has the tools. He’s shown enough flashes to suggest he can be a real player in this league - if the Giants can build around him and if he can evolve.
But that evolution has to start with self-preservation. Because right now, the book on Jaxson Dart is being written by opposing defenses.
And it reads exactly like Dan Quinn’s message: if he wants to play like a running back, he’s going to get hit like one.
The NFL doesn’t wait for anyone to figure it out. Dart still has time - but the clock is ticking.