Jaxson Dart taking huge risk with NFL future after alarming start to New York Giants career

Jun 9, 2026 - 20:15

Jaxson Dart has had a rollercoaster start to his NFL career – and it is only one season old.

As the 23-year-old prepares for year two with the New York Giants, there are high hopes that Big Blue have found their franchise quarterback.

Dart and the rest of the Giants players have returned for the early part of the offseason program

Dart and Cam Skattebo have been enjoying their offseason

Having traded up – and back into the first round – to take the Ole Miss quarterback in 2025, the Giants turned to him after an 0-3 season and in 12 starts he led the team to four wins.

He threw for 2,272 yards and 15 touchdowns, with 5 interceptions as the all-action style endeared the signal-caller to Giants fans desperate for a star under center.

Pairing him with former Arizona State running back Cam Skattebo seemed to give the franchise an injection of life after more than a decade of drift.

But both players suffered injury concerns as a result of their all-action style.

Skattebo’s season came to an end after he suffered a broken leg as well as head injury concerns, while concussion was a problem too for Dart.

He had two diagnosed concussions – missing two games as a result – and in total was admitted to the blue tent five times to go through concussion protocol.

It is something ESPN’s senior insider Dan Graziano believes stands as a barrier not only to Dart’s future but the Giants hopes of improving on a record of one trip to the postseason in the last seven years.

“He [Dart] has franchise-quarterback stuff and should continue to improve as long as he can stay on the field – but that’s the key,” Graziano wrote in his quarterback notebook for ESPN.

“Dart spent an alarming amount of time in the blue medical tent last season, and the Giants have spent a good amount of their time trying to impress upon him the importance of being available.

Jaxson Dart and Cam Skattebo pose in the end zone after beating the Eagles — Dart and Skattebo enjoyed breakthrough rookie seasons but injuries struck

“Whether he heeds those lessons and learns to protect himself better – especially when he takes off and runs – will determine how long and successful his career can be.

“And it will determine whether the Giants can finally break out of the dreary cycle in which they’ve spent the past decade and a half.”

Change in the air in New York

The Giants finished 4-13 in 2025, their third losing season in succession and the team have managed just 13 wins in that time frame.

Head coach Brian Daboll paid the price after four seasons in New Jersey and he has been replaced with Super Bowl winning coach John Harbaugh.

Dart spoke of his admiration for his new head coach while on media duties on Radio Row in February, saying: “I talk to coach every single day.”

Asked whether those conversations come through calls or text messages, Dart made clear it is both, responding: “On the phone, texts – we talk every single day – and that’s just the relationship you gotta have with a quarterback-head coach standpoint.

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“I couldn’t be more excited to get an opportunity to play for him.

“He was the guy on the market that we all wanted and we’re just incredibly grateful that you know, not only did we pick him but he chose us. And I can’t wait to get out there and compete.”

After 18 seasons with the Baltimore Ravens, Harbaugh left the AFC North franchise in January only to accept the challenge of lifting the Giants out of the doldrums just a few weeks later.

He has already made his feelings clear on Dart, who began last year behind veterans Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston on the depth chart.

Harbaugh said during OTAs that work is getting underway on the new offense for the Giants

“I think he’s adjusting really well, he looks good,” he said. “I love his competitiveness. He wants to be perfect every play. It’s a work in progress all the time.

Head coach John Harbaugh of the Baltimore Ravens celebrates with the VInce Lombardi Championship trophy after the Ravens won 34-31 against the San Francisco 49ers during Super Bowl XLVII at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on February 3, 2013 — Harbaugh was a Super Bowl champion with the Baltimore Ravens

“It’s still fairly early. But the clock is ticking. In the team meeting, we started with ‘September’ by Earth, Wind and Fire. September is right around the corner. So that’s what we’re preparing for.”

Wilson has retired to the TV studio, leaving just Winston and Brandon Allen in the quarterback room and despite a controversial start to the offseason, Dart is expected to be the Week 1 starter against the Dallas Cowboys.

Dart appeared with President Donald Trump at a campaign rally in May, something that prompted a reaction from Carter on social media.

But the pair – and coach Harbaugh – have insisted things are ‘good’ as offseason activities begin to ramp up with all eyes on Sunday Night Football in Week 1.

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