For weeks, outside concerns about the sustainability of Giants rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart’s aggressive play style had been brewing.
But apparently now, with Dart sidelined for Sunday’s game against the Packers with a concussion, the team is taking extra steps to help educate and encourage Dart to find the balance of playing aggressive but smart.
Giants quarterbacks coach Shea Tierney showed Dart videos of multiple quarterbacks to show the difference between being aggressive and being reckless, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
The news comes two days after Tierney was peppered with questions from reporters Friday about talking with Dart about his sometimes incautious running in pursuit of extra yardage.
Jaxson Dart runs with the ball during the Giants’ Nov. 9 loss to the Bears. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
“You always take examples from around the league, guys that are doing things that are good examples of, hey, getting down, or hey, this is a time where you can have a clear lane or something like that,” Tierney said. “Sure, you always look at that. You try to show him some guys who may have done it a little longer.”
Dart has been assessed for three other concussions, including one in the preseason, before he suffered a head injury in the third quarter of last week’s 24-20 loss in Chicago.
Dart, 22, remains in concussion protocol as of Sunday.
It’s unclear whether he’ll receive the green light to play next week against the Lions.
Several people around the game have urged Dart to be more cautious with his running, including former Giants star Brandon Jacobs.
Jacobs urged Dart to slide when he has the ball rather than absorb the contact.
“You gotta get down, man. You gotta learn how to slide, you gotta learn how to get out of bounds when it’s necessary. This is not a tough-guy sport for you to be running, running into people, trying to truck people,” Jacobs told TMZ. “Just taking that type of beating all game long is never gonna be in his favor. Never gonna be in our team’s favor.”
This isn’t the first time the Giants had to work with a young quarterback and teach them how to play aggressive yet act in self preservation.
Jaxson Dart walks off the field during the Giants’ loss to the Bears on Nov. 9. Getty Images
The Giants also worked with now Colts starter Daniel Jones, ESPN reported.
Dart has been one of the only bright spots of an otherwise depressing Giants’ season.
The 2025 first-round pick has completed 62.7 percent of his passes for 1,417 yards with 10 touchdowns and three interceptions in his nine games (seven starts).
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He’s also recorded 317 yards on the ground with seven scores.
Dart’s future is bright, but the Giants are hoping he’ll have a long one.
Prioritizing his health is vital to help ensure that may be the case.