The NFL announced their fines for last week’s game action, and New York Giants fans won’t be happy with some of the rulings. The Giants played the Patriots on Monday Night Football last week, a game which marked the return of rookie first-round quarterback Jaxson Dart from a two-game absence due to a concussion.
It marked the second time Dart was forced to miss time with a concussion this season, and the fourth time he’s been evaluated for one since replacing veteran Russell Wilson in the starting lineup late in September. Dart has come under fire from fans, coaches, and former players alike for his playstyle â a physical brand of running where he puts his body on the line and absorbs big hits to pick up extra yards. He’s been deemed “reckless” by some for not avoiding these hits, but Dart prides himself on his toughness and physicality.
New York Giants QB Jaxson Dart Took a Huge Hit Against the Patriots
GettyFOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – DECEMBER 01: Theo Johnson #84 of the New York Giants shoves Christian Elliss #53 of the New England Patriots during the first quarter of the game at Gillette Stadium on December 01, 2025 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
This controversy popped up for New York almost immediately in the Patriots game. On a 2nd and 13 with about four minutes left in the first quarter, Dart escaped the pocket and scrambled down the right sideline for a 12-yard gain. Patriots LB Christian Elliss was there to meet him, leveling a bone-crunching hit that sent Dart flying into the bench short of the first down. Giants players did not appreciate the hit their quarterback took, leading to a small skirmish between the teams that had to be broken up by the refs.
It was a legal hit, as Dart hadn’t yet stepped out of bounds when Elliss made contact, but that’s also the point: the hit was entirely avoidable. It was a second down play in the first quarter, and he’d already made it a third-and-short situation. Dart wouldn’t lose anything by stepping out of bounds one yard earlier to avoid the hit, but he didn’t. And he paid the price.
Avoiding hits like these might be necessary for Dart if he wants to extend his career. Four concussion evaluations and two confirmed concussions in less than one season is simply unsustainable, both for his career and his own health. The Giants have a vested interest in Dart not medically retiring at a young age due to his concussion history, and it’s something a new head coach will be tasked with correcting.
Fine Levied Against One New York Giants Player
After all that, only one player from either side received a fine, and it was the same player who got penalized in the moment. Giants TE Theo Johnson made sure Elliss knew that sort of hit wouldn’t slide, and he got hit with a 15-yard Unnecessary Roughness penalty for shoving Elliss after the play.
The league office fined Johnson $6,488 for a “late hit,” and while that may seem like a lot, that’s actually a fairly mild fine by NFL standards. Perhaps they took context into account when determining the level of fine they issued.
It’s worth noting that Elliss was not fined for his role in the play, a fact the Giants are undoubtedly displeased with.
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