Jan. 20, 2026, 6:05 a.m. ET
New York Giants head coach John Harbaugh, fresh off signing a five-year deal, has made no secret of his excitement about the team’s quarterback situation — particularly after an in-depth meeting with rookie Jaxson Dart.
During his interview process at the Giants’ facilities, Harbaugh spent upwards of two hours with Dart, diving deep into football discussions. The session left the veteran coach energized, as he singled out the young quarterback’s passion and approach.
“First of all, all the quarterbacks of these teams, I was impressed with all these guys,” Harbaugh told Sports Illustrated. “They’re all up-and-comers; they’re all gonna have really great careers. But getting to know Jaxson, because this went a little further, I got a chance to talk to him, and I was really, really excited talking ball with Jaxson Dart.
“His mindset is exactly what you’re looking for. His enthusiasm and excitement for the game, and for every part of football, that really got me fired up.”
Notably, before Harbaugh arrived, Dart had touted himself as a strong recruiter. The extended, enthusiastic conversation suggests that self-assessment proved accurate, further fueling Harbaugh’s optimism about building the Giants around Dart’s leadership and love for the game.
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