FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — The return of Jaxson Dart to the New York Giants lineup failed to ignite the team, as the rookie quarterback faced a significant challenge during a 33-15 defeat against the New England Patriots.
In the first quarter, Dart attempted to make a play by scrambling out of the pocket. As he approached the sideline, Patriots linebacker Christian Elliss delivered a hard but legal hit, briefly lifting Dart off the ground. Dart had missed the previous two games due to a concussion, raising concerns about his safety after the hit.
Despite the impact, Dart managed to complete 17 of 24 passes for 139 yards and one touchdown, but the Giants suffered their seventh consecutive loss.
“Jaxson”s an aggressive football player. He”s on the sideline, trying to get himself out of bounds. He bounced up. He”s a tough kid,” said Giants interim head coach Mike Kafka. “Obviously, we don”t want him to take any hits that are unnecessary.”
Following the hit, tight end Theo Johnson confronted Elliss, leading to a brief scuffle that involved players from both teams. Johnson was penalized for unnecessary roughness, but Dart”s ability to stand and lead the huddle was seen as a positive outcome for the Giants.
Dart expressed appreciation for his teammates, saying, “I would do the same for him. That”s the relationship that we have. We have each other”s backs. It”s not fun losing. It doesn”t look super bright from the outside, but it takes time to turn things around.”
His 12-yard run during the game served as a reminder that if Dart does not adjust his approach, he risks a short career as an NFL quarterback. He stated, “This is football. Whether I”m inside the pocket or outside the pocket, I”m going to get hit. It”s just part of the game.” He emphasized that he has always played this way, suggesting that his style should not be surprising.
Dart sees a cautionary tale in Drake Maye, the Patriots quarterback, who faced concussion issues in his rookie season but learned to slide to avoid injury. Now in his second year, Maye has successfully navigated the concerns that plagued him previously. During the game, Maye threw for 282 yards and two touchdowns, showcasing his growth by sliding to avoid a hit near the sideline.
“He”s done a great job,” Dart said of Maye after the game. “I”m just trying my best to change this franchise around and do my part. Just have to stay diligent with that.”
Even after taking significant hits this season, Dart intends to continue making plays both with his arm and legs. He provided a straightforward response to critics of his aggressive style: “Tell them thanks for looking out for me.”
