The New York Giants dropped to 2-13 on Sunday, despite facing an undrafted free agent quarterback in the Minnesota Vikings’ Max Brosmer.
Big Blue’s offense struggled to move the ball against the Vikings’ staunch defense, and rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart had arguably his worst performance of the season, completing 7 of 13 passing attempts for 33 yards and an interception.
It wasn’t all on Dart; his pass catchers didn’t help and struggled with drops all day. Theo Johnson and Darius Slayton, in particular, let a couple of easy ones slip through their hands.
But the more concerning aspect, specifically over the last few weeks, has been Dart’s regression from his early emergence as an Offensive Rookie of the Year candidate.
Without Brian Daboll’s guidance, the Ole Miss rookie has been mediocre at best.
Jaxson Dart’s Regression Without Brian Daboll
SNY’s Connor Hughes, who was covering the New York Giants matchup against the Minnesota Vikings, pointed out just how worrisome Dart’s outings have been since New York fired Daboll in November.
Over those three games, the 25th overall pick in this past year’s draft has completed 60.3% of his attempts for 418 yards, three touchdowns, and two interceptions.
It’s a stark contrast from Dart’s first seven starts under Daboll, when he was in the running for the Offensive Rookie of the Year award.
Hughes also pointed out the fact that with interim head coach Mike Kafka calling the shots, Dart’s abilities as a runner have not been utilized, likely in an attempt to keep him healthy.
But is that hurting his game?
“Feels like the #Giants are trying to turn Jaxson Dart into a drop back, pocket passer since he returned from concussion. It’s just not working. He’s not an elite thrower at this point in his career. He’s best moving around,” wrote Hughes in a post on X.
“This wasn’t about not running Dart. He just needed to get down to avoid hits. Giants have gone so far in another direction it’s now a detriment.”
Since returning from his concussion, Dart has only carried the ball 15 times for 90 yards.
In his first seven starts, he carried the ball 55 times for 317 yards and seven rushing touchdowns.
Jaxson Dart and Brian Daboll’s Relationship
It was obvious from Day 1 that Dart and Daboll shared a special relationship.
After all, it was Daboll who pounded the table for the New York Giants to select the 22-year-old in this past year’s draft.
After Dart’s first start against the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 4 earlier this season, the young trigger man credited his head coach for his exhilarating performance.
“Me and Dabs just have a special relationship. He’s the guy that believed in me from day one. I think it does say a lot that he made the decision and had the confidence in me,” Dart said via ESPN’s Jordan Raanan.
“Even just giving me the ball in those situations on a third down to make a play. I know that when you have a coach who you know has your back, I’m going to go out there and do everything I can for him to win.”
Dart’s regression without Daboll should raise some eyebrows, especially regarding the decision to cut ties with their longtime head coach unceremoniously midseason.
If the Giants want their rookie standout to succeed as a pro quarterback, they need to ensure they give him the coaching he needs, and clearly, Kafka is not cut out for that current role.
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