The New York Giants suffered a crushing blow to their 2026 NFL campaign when starting quarterback Jaxson Dart sustained a season-ending knee injury during a 28-6 loss against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium.
The devastating news resonated across the league, particularly for former Giants head coach Brian Daboll, who now serves as the offensive coordinator for the Tennessee Titans. Daboll, who drafted Dart in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft, shared a heartfelt response when reporters asked about his former signal-caller.
“Yeah that's tough, it's always tough, I have a very good relationship with him, obviously devastated with what happened,” Daboll said. “…It was a tough one to see got a lot of respect for him, got a lot of love for him and I know he'll come back stronger.”
Brian Daboll’s reaction to Jaxson Dart’s season-ending injury pic.twitter.com/I14E5ydDFw
— Easton Freeze (@eastonfreeze) September 24, 2026
Dart suffered the injury on New York's opening drive after two defenders sandwiched him on a pass attempt. Before exiting the contest, Dart completed 3 of 5 passes for 20 yards. While initial tests provided mild optimism, detailed MRI evaluations revealed damage to his MCL, PCL, and meniscus, forcing him to undergo season-ending surgery.
The Giants struggled without their rising leader under center, managing just two field goals as the offense stalled out. Meanwhile, Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford threw for 327 yards and four touchdowns to anchor Los Angeles in the victory.
The bond between Daboll and Dart grew strong during their time together in East Rutherford, where Daboll placed immense trust in the young quarterback. Losing Dart certainly derails New York’s immediate plans, but Daboll remains confident that the resilient quarterback possesses the mental toughness to return even stronger in 2027.