Jaxson Dart ‘trying to continue to grow’ in Year 2 as Giants quarterback
· Yahoo Sports
The New York Giants 2026 training camp is underway.
The Giants took the practice field for the first time Wednesday afternoon, and for their first training camp with Jaxson Dart as their starting quarterback.
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The media at large doesn’t think much of the Giants this year, with some feeling as though Big Blue is being disrespected. Whether or not those feelings are justified is a debate for another time. For his part, Dart is coming into training camp with a chip on his shoulder.
“Because,” he said, “we didn’t have a good year last year. I can’t wait for this upcoming year. This whole offseason I’ve just been waiting to get back with the guys. I really like where we’re at. We’ve got to continue to grow.”
Dart certainly also included himself in the collective “we”. He acknowledges that while there were great moments last year, he needs to build off of them.
“There’s a lot that I’ve got to still learn,” he said. “There are reps of things that I haven’t really had a ton of experience doing. I’m taking it day by day. I’m trying to keep everything around me simple. From the things that I give my attention to, to my daily and study habits. That’s just me trying to continue to grow because I saw what it was like last year for a tough season. It was new for my career. I want to make sure that doesn’t happen again. So, just continuing to take the next steps and really pour myself into my teammates and my coaches.”
“There are a few things mechanically that are different,” he added later, speaking about the parts of the offense that are played under center. “Probably just the biggest thing is a little bit of footwork landmarks in the pocket. But we’ve repped the hell out of it, I’m feeling really good with the track that we’re on and I’m feeling comfortable.”
That comfort will likely be aided by the return of wide receiver Malik Nabers, who took part in the individual wide receiver drills. Dart didn’t have much time with Nabers last year, and he’s looking forward to having a more consistent explosive element as well as the return of running back Cam Skattebo.
“It makes me really excited, that’s for sure,” Dart said. “In the short time that we had, as me and Skatt were rookies, there was a lot of energy, there were a lot of explosives, and that’s what kind of player he is. He brings a completely different element to an offense. So, I’m really looking forward to the future, getting him back healthy, because I think the sky is the limit for what we can do.”
Dart also spoke glowingly of veteran wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. Not only has Dart acknowledged the presence that Beckham brings to the team, but also the veteran leadership and team-first mentality.
“I’m definitely excited about O,” he said. “I think the big thing is you never know how somebody’s going to respond from having that time off coming back. I think that his ability to pour into his teammates – and you would think a lot of times when there’s a big comeback that it’s about the individual himself, but he’s really just about the teammates, the guys around him. I’ve loved having him here so far. He’s just a great guy. He’s a great leader. He’s had the ultimate experience of the highs and the lows, and I think that the more that you’re able to communicate with him, get perspectives from him, with him also being, obviously, a really good player, is huge for our team.”
Dart mentioned “growth” multiple times speaking with the media. New head coach John Harbaugh will be the man tending to, and guiding, that growth. Dart helped to lure Harbaugh to East Rutherford, and the two have seemingly hit it off.
“I love Harbs,” Dart said. “Just his intensity, his love for the game, his leadership. There are a lot of things that stand out as to why he’s been so successful in this league. All of us are just focused on buying in and taking the necessary steps for all of us to grow each and every day. Just super pumped for right now and continuing to move forward with him.”
Experience and accolades aside, Harbaugh is a pretty significant departure from Brian Daboll. Where Daboll was an offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at heart, Harbaugh truly tries to be a “head coach” who oversees the whole team.
“Right now, he’s very observant,” Dart said. “He’s very observant from every single facet. From the offense, to the defense, the special teams. He has his hand in every single one of them, of his expectations. Things that he likes. I just think the really cool thing is he’s so open to communication, from the coaching staff to the players. I think that’s just been really cool to have that openness, no ego. Ultimately, he just wants to, obviously, win.”
Everyone is hoping Harbaugh gets his desire, with the wins coming early and often.