Jaxson Dart doesn't understand why he had to go to medical tent; here's why
Jaxson Dart #6 of the New York Giants runs the ball during the fourth quarter against Bobby Wagner #54 of the Washington Commanders at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Credit: Jim McIsaac
Jaxson Dart seemed lost for an explanation after the Giants’ loss to the Commanders on Sunday. His latest trip to the blue medical tent had him not just annoyed but confused.
He was sent off the field for a concussion evaluation after being hit by Commanders defensive tackle Eddie Goldman in the fourth quarter. Goldman was on the ground for a while while Dart was directed off the field for a concussion evaluation.
The play in question was a fake handoff in which Dart was supposed to pass. When the pass wasn’t there, he tried to get back to the line of scrimmage and was hit while falling down.
Dart didn’t think it merited a check and believes there’s some extra sensitivity to how officials are treating him. When asked how to fix that, he didn’t know what more to do.
“Maybe just run the other way,” he joked. “I have no idea. I’m not sure.”
It’s not hard to figure out. Sunday was the fourth time in nine starts that Dart has been evaluated. Add in an evaluation during the Giants’ final preseason game and it’s five times in his first season that he’s been checked.
Maybe officials are being overcautious. Maybe it’s an overreaction from earlier in the season; Dart played a series and was not evaluated immediately after taking a hit against the Bears in Week 10 on which he suffered a concussion.
Dart earned this reputation because of his playing style and tendency to get hit. Given how the NFL has failed mobile quarterbacks by not penalizing certain hits on them, it’s better that officials try to protect him. “Careful’’ is better than the alternative, and it’s why interim coach Mike Kafka understood the intent behind taking Dart out.
“I think it’s one thing that the league has really made a big emphasis of,” Kafka said Monday regarding player safety. “I think in Jaxson’s particular case, I think they’re hypersensitive to just quarterbacks in general. I think they’re hypersensitive to especially if you have been a repeat guy and have had a previous concussion, they’re going to be sensitive to it.”
Dart’s defiance is understandable. Young players tend to lean more on that edge that got them to the pros. They don’t have the benefit of experience to learn how to balance defiance with being smarter about it.
But that’s why others around him have to preach it nonstop. The Giants have been better with that under Kafka. Offensive coordinator Tim Kelly was adamant last Thursday that Dart should have gotten out of bounds sooner before he was blasted by Patriots linebacker Christian Elliss.
Instead of worrying about the officials checking on him, Dart should focus more on the progress he showed Sunday. He balanced how to be aggressive and smart while running; he didn’t take any unnecessary hits and slid more often.
He also played better in the second half (13-for-20, 175 yards, two touchdowns) after a terrible first half (7-for-16, 71 yards). It was more experience for him on how to manage his play and be effective and smart at the same time.
The more games he can play without taking big contact, the less people will be concerned about his style.
“It’s not like he’s taking guys head-on anymore,” Kafka said. “He’s picking an edge and at least picking a soft edge and trying to get himself down and protect the ball, which is most important, protect himself as well. I thought he did a nice job this week doing that.”
Dart isn’t the first mobile quarterback to face scrutiny over running smarter. Michael Vick, Cam Newton, Josh Allen, Steve Young and Kordell Stewart all made that adjustment.
Dart isn’t an anomaly. He’s going to be the future of the Giants. His mobility is an asset and his decision-making is, too. Dealing with this may be new to him, but it isn’t to his coaches or teammates.
That’s why Sunday had the answers he struggled to find. If he continues to play smarter with his body, he’ll make fewer trips to the medical tent. It won’t be in the officials’ minds as much and Dart will be able to keep focusing on taking the next steps to becoming a better quarterback.
Evan Barnes covers the Giants for Newsday. He previously covered the Brooklyn Nets, Memphis football and the Memphis Grizzlies and also covered prep sports in Los Angeles.
