Giants QB Jaxson Dart wants to walk in footsteps of a tough act to follow: Jim McMahon
Jaxson Dart tries to elude Kalia Davis of the San Francisco 49ers during the first half at MetLife Stadium on Nov. 2. Credit: Jim McIsaac
Jaxson Dart’s competitiveness is one of his strongest suits since taking over as Giants quarterback. But two things happened Sunday that are a reminder of how risky that can be.
Late in the fourth quarter against the 49ers, Dart took a tough hit on his left shoulder while scrambling for a first down. After the drive, the television broadcast showed the rookie kneeling on the sideline before getting back up and walking around.
The second event didn’t happen at MetLife Stadium but with Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels. Daniels dislocated his elbow after being hit while scrambling in a game when the Commanders trailed by 31 points.
After practice Wednesday, Dart expressed condolences for Daniels. Yet he reaffirmed that neither the hit he took Sunday nor Daniels’ injury would change his approach running the ball.
“I’m gonna play the game the way I want to play the game.” Dart said.
For the first time in his brief career, Dart led the Giants in rushing yards with 56 Sunday. The eight carries were his most in three weeks after having 13 in a win over the Eagles.
It’s still a process of learning when to take hits, slide or go out of bounds. Dart has been better sliding compared to his Week 4 debut, but it’s still a balance between relying on instinct, fighting for extra yards and living to fight another day.
“It’s definitely something that when you watch the tape back on, you try to think of those moments where you can kind of save your body a hit or not,” he said. “At the same, it’s really hard for me in those moments because I just want to compete and ultimately, I just want to score.”
Coach Brian Daboll doesn’t plan on directly changing anything with Dart. He’s been steadfast in his support of how his quarterback plays but, at times, that support has felt dangerous.
Against the Eagles two weeks ago, Dart’s final two plays were designed runs inside the Eagles’ 3-yard line with the team down by 25 points. The first one went for a yard and Dart took a vicious hit from linebacker Jeremiah Trotter Jr. The second was Dart scoring from 2 yards out.
He’s been sacked a total of six times the last two games. Between that and the hits he’s taken on runs, there’s a feeling Dart’s plow-ahead mentality is winning over being cautious.
Daboll didn’t agree. He trusts Dart’s awareness and instincts on the field and compared it to — without naming him specifically — his former pupil and Bills quarterback Josh Allen.
“He’s as competitive as they come,” Daboll said of Dart. “You always want to protect him and coach him on those things but I have a lot of confidence in the decisions that he makes.”
Perhaps it’s fitting the Giants head to Chicago this weekend to face the Bears. Dart said it’s a place he’s always wanted to play and he admired the physicality the Bears are known for.
“Just the history of it,” he said about the city. “When I was younger, always seeing the elite defense and the teams that they had. Also, I went to the same high school as [former Bears quarterback] Jim McMahon, so I was just following that.”
McMahon was known for being tough, and he took more than his share of hits. The Giants can only hope Dart doesn’t follow that path since their future relies on his availability.
It’s even more important with receiver Malik Nabers and running back Cam Skattebo out with season-ending injuries. But Dart isn’t wavering on his playing style and neither is his coach despite the last two weeks of hits adding up.
“If there are some that we think we can pull back on and learn from, that’s what we try to do,” Daboll said. “But I’m not going to second-guess a guy out there that’s competing and playing and has good vision and awareness and instincts. I wouldn’t take that away from him.”
Notes & quotes: C John Michael Schmitz (shin), K Graham Gano (neck), CB Paulson Adebo (knee), OT Jermaine Eluemunor (pectoral), DL Chauncey Golston (neck), WR Beaux Collins (neck), LB Victor Dimukeje (ankle) and LB Darius Muasau (ankle) didn’t practice Wednesday. WR Darius Slayton was evaluated for a concussion after Sunday’s game but was cleared Monday and present at practice.
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.
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