© Eric Canha/Imagn
It seems that no matter how many times he’s taught this lesson, New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart just refuses to learn.
Dart, the 25th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, has sparked the Giants’ offense at times with his strong play in place of veteran Russell Wilson. But he’s also already missed multiple games due to injuries suffered after taking big hits.
He returned to the field after a three-week absence on Monday night against the New England Patriots. But it appears he didn’t learn his lesson.
Jon Gruden Tried To Get Jaxson Dart To Play Smarter
Prior to the NFL Draft, Dart sat down with former NFL head coach Jon Gruden as part of his QB Camp series. During the meeting, Gruden told Dart that he plays a reckless style of football and that it would cause him to get injured and missed games in the NFL.
“It’s impressive. But I want you to change your playing style,” Gruden said. “I think it’s reckless, I think it’s careless, and I think it’s dangerous. You’re the only guy that can’t play with a sore right shoulder.”
Dart explained to Gruden that he tries to play with a “plus-two” mentality, meaning that he’s trying to gain two yards after every hit. But Gruden wasn’t buying it.
Eventually, Dart relented, admitting that his style of play isn’t the smartest thing in the world.
Jaxson Dart Lied To Jon Gruden!
Despite telling Gruden that he’d rein in his reckless playing style, he hasn’t done so in the NFL. He already suffered one concussion, and on Monday against the Patriots, he nearly suffered another injury after taking a big hit from Patriots linebacker Christian Ellis.
“I like teammates defending their QB, but that was a legal hit.”
The ManningCast reacts to the Giants-Patriots scuffle after the big hit on Jaxson Dart. pic.twitter.com/fgYYenypbX
— Omaha Productions (@OmahaProd) December 2, 2025
“This is football. Whether I’m inside the pocket or outside the pocket, I’m going to get hit. We’re not playing soccer out there. It’s just part of the game,” Dart said after the game. “I’ve played this way my entire life. It shouldn’t be a shocker to anyone who has followed my career.”
Dart’s viewpoint is admirable. But it’s also stupid.
As Gruden said, he’s no help to his team if he can’t play because he’s injured. And continuing to take these types of hits will continue to get him injured.
Unfortunately, it doesn’t seem like Dart is learning from the experiences.