New York Giants interim head coach Mike Kafka strongly pushed back against the narrative that rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart has regressed since Brian Daboll’s midseason firing, particularly after a dismal Week 16 performance against the Minnesota Vikings, where Dart completed just 7-of-13 passes for 33 yards, one interception, and a net 13 passing yards.

“I don’t see it that way,” Kafka said when asked directly about claims of regression. “I think every game is going to be different. How we play each game is going to be different. How we think what’s going to help us win the game is going to be different each week. And I think the last couple weeks we ran the ball almost 30 times. So, when you run the ball 30 times, that’s going to limit some opportunities for the pass game.

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“And there’s some games where we’re going to have to use the pass game a little bit more. So, I think there’s a way to win every game. Early in the week you build a game plan around how you think you’re going to win the game. And then you have the complements and things built off of that. And then in-game you’ve got to go and adjust and find those solutions in-game based on the stuff that you have and the stuff that you put in and the system you are working within.”

Kafka acknowledged that Dart’s numbers are down, implying that it fuels the “narrative,” but claims the rookie is “playing at a high level.”

“So, I don’t see that as a regression for Jaxson. Sure, maybe the numbers aren’t what they had been in the past. But I think he’s playing well. He’s playing at a high level,” Kafka added. “There’s certainly things that he can continue to improve on. And we’ve talked through those as a group, too. But when I look back at it, this is an 11-man operation on offense. So, it’s not about one person’s production. It’s about the whole group and it’s about the whole team.

“So, whatever we’ve got to do to win the game, that’s what we’re trying to do. And so, yeah, I mean, at some point things like numbers and all that, I’m not as concerned about the numbers, to be honest with you, we’re looking to find a way to win a game. And Jaxson’s on board with that. He understands that. So that’s kind of where we’re at.”

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Kafka also dismissed any notion of benching the rookie for the final two games, emphasizing full commitment.

“Yeah, I’d go with the latter of that,” he said when asked about potentially sitting Dart. “We’re full throttle ahead. Jaxson’s running the ship. No question about that.”

Kafka highlighted Dart’s growth, particularly in operating under center and with play-action, noting the quarterback’s comfort and enthusiasm for those elements despite coming from a shotgun-heavy college background.

This article originally appeared on Giants Wire: New York Giants are ‘full throttle ahead’ with Jaxson Dart at QB