Giants coach Brian Daboll must get Jaxson Dart to be smarter, safer on scrambles
Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart is tackled against the Los Angeles Chargers at MetLife Stadium on Sunday. Credit: Ed Murray
Jaxson Dart’s mobility and toughness were two things the Giants loved during the pre-draft process. It showed in the first preseason game in August when Dart took off for a 19-yard run.
He didn’t slide at the end and coach Brian Daboll defended the decision, calling it a good play.
“I have confidence in his instincts and what he sees out there and when he needs to do it,” Daboll said at the time. “We’ll try to minimize as many hits as we can, but he’s a competitor and I like that about him.”
Flash forward to Sunday’s win and Dart’s first start. Eight of his 10 carries came between the tackles, per NextGen Stats. He was sacked five times and had a long run negated by penalty but ending with him thrown to the turf.
Daboll’s response? More of the same. There were times, he said, where Dart could’ve thrown the ball away but he praised his overall decision making more than chiding him for not sliding.
“You don't want your quarterback taking a bunch of (hits),” Daboll said. “But again, he made some really, really good plays on some scramble plays and loose plays and kept the offense in really good favorable situations for most of the night.”
It’s clear the Giants love what Dart brings to the field. But Sunday also saw how risky it is to lose a key piece of the offense with Malik Nabers’s season-ending ACL injury.
Without their No. 1 receiver, the Giants’ offense looked flat afterwards. They struggled to move downfield in the second half. That should be a warning for Daboll with Dart.
Dart’s health is paramount for this team to have any hope. They can’t afford to lose him and make this offense look worse. Toughness is admirable but so is living to fight the next play.
After a short run Sunday, Dart strained his hamstring in the second quarter. It bothered him the rest of the game and he was slow moving in the locker room afterwards.
Daboll said it’s up to Dart to decide whether to run or not if plays break down. But it’s Daboll’s job to be mindful of helping him avoid hits, including not always using Dart like a big running back on designed runs
Dart is 6-2, 223 pounds. He’s got good size to take contact but he’s not built like Bills quarterback Josh Allen (6-5, 237) or former NFL MVP Cam Newton (6-5, 245). Those hits add up and he’s too important to this team to be cavalier about seeking contact.
“It scares me actually,” linebacker Brian Burns said. “I love it, it gets us hyped. I love when he drops his shoulders and everything like that, but sometimes you’d like for him to just take the slide. He’s got that dog in him, though.”
Dart played baseball through high school, so he has some experience sliding. His toughness is part of earning respect as a young player.
But the Giants switched to him from Russell Wilson because they thought Dart could fix the offense. That switch can’t help if Dart get hobbled or misses time. Plus the Giants’ recent history — Daniel Jones’ 2023 ACL injury, playing four quarterbacks last season — suggests protecting Dart is a greater priority.
That’s where Daboll has to step in. He’s not shy about how much he admires Dart and gives his young quarterback freedom to trust his instincts. But that could backfire if he’s not coached better to smarter on scrambles.
Consider this too. Dart left the field to be examined for a possible concussion, something that happened in his final preseason game. Both times he was cleared to play. But what if he’s not?
Like most young quarterbacks, Dart will get sacked often. That’s part of a rookie NFL education. That’s also why avoiding the unnecessary hits matters even more.
The Giants losing Nabers should keep them mindful they can’t lose Dart too. His swagger, exuberance and playmaking give the team a needed lift. He’s also better served being smarter with seeking contact.
It’s the next challenge for Daboll with his prized pupil. Dart is who he is but he’s too valuable to keep getting hit. Nabers’ absence should force Daboll to be wiser allowing Dart’s toughness but molding him to use it smartly.
Otherwise, the Giants risk the consequences of Dart getting hurt, the season folding and Daboll’s job potentially in jeopardy.
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.
