Giants rookie QB Jaxson Dart shares frustration over how he’s being treated amid a recurring issue from New York’s 2025 season
New York Giants rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart speaks out on how he’s being treated every time he takes a big hit after Week 15 loss to the Commanders
The health and safety of New York Giants rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart has been a controversial and recurring issue this season. In their 29-21 loss to the Washington Commanders, there was yet another incident regarding his protection.
Late in the game, in the red zone, Dart took a play into his own hands and dove ahead to pick up as much yardage as he could. As he slowly attempted to get up, officials ushered him off the field for evaluation by medical staff. After the game, Dart expressed his frustration with how often he’s being taken off the field.
“You don’t just see people getting taken out of the game like that,” Dart told the media. “So I definitely feel like there’s a sensitivity for some reason.”
Jaxson Dart on his latest concussion scare
Dart missed three games this season after suffering a concussion against the Chicago Bears. His head injury came after public concerns about his overly aggressive play style, potentially leading to serious injuries. And of course, we can’t forget the wildest part of this saga: Brian Daboll attempting to enter the medical tent. At the same time, Dart was being evaluated for a concussion after the Eagles game.
In today’s latest instance, Dart explained that on a designed pass, he did not want to force a play that wasn’t there. Instead, he attempted to scramble without much luck and was struck in the head by a Commanders defender.
“Just tried to get back to the line of scrimmage,” Dart shared. “I’m not really sure what the reason was I had to come out of the game. It was just weird, I don’t understand it.”
Throughout his entire rookie season, Dart hasn’t been afraid of contact. The coaching staff has commended his willingness to put his body on the line. Interim head coach Mike Kafka emphasized today, after the loss, that they have no intention to change how he plays.
“We’re not gonna change much in terms of how we play the game. I think having the designed thought process for how we scheme it up,” Kafka told reporters. “I thought we had a couple of opportunities where he’s protected, he’s got someone out in front of him.”
Kafka was also direct in pointing out that Dart is more careful than many people are willing to recognize.
“He’s a smart football player, he knows when he needs to protect himself and when he needs to go and make a play,” Kafka said. “And I trust him to do that. And that’s probably the most important thing is the guys on the field trust him to go do that … This is a part of a game that makes him special. And as he continues to grow, I think he’s making smart decisions; he took a couple of slides today. It’s a part of that growth process.”
Kafka is correct in pointing out that it was much more noticeable that Dart was the most deliberate we’ve seen him in trying to slide. He was the most cautious we’ve seen him all year, which only made the confusion more over-cautious.
Hopefully, this is an issue left behind in 2025, along with the rest of the frustrating occurrences that happened this year.
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