New York Giants coach John Harbaugh believes Jaxson Dart, his quarterback, has plenty of room to grow before coming anywhere close to the ceiling within his game.
The man leading that charge is Matt Nagy, who will run the offense being built from the ground up with Harbaugh’s new offensive coordinator at the forefront as he goes from coaching Patrick Mahomes in Kansas City to Dart back home in New Jersey.
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What does want from Dart and Co. on that side of the ball? Here’s what Harbaugh had to say last week at the NFL Annual Meeting in Phoenix, a point he will surely hammer home as the coaches welcome the players back to the facility for the first time for Tuesday’s start of the voluntary offseason program.
“Elegant enough to handle all the complicated things that go with attacking defenses nowadays,” Harbaugh said. “But simple enough for the players to operate it in action, in battle, in the heat of battle, in a real effective way.”
They aren’t chasing myths and ghosts at quarterback with Dart in the fold; rather, there is a real purpose with reestablishing success in 2026 under Harbaugh on their minds.
There’s no questioning Dart as the centerpiece of the Giants‘ offense right now. That was the case when the season ended, and that is the premise by which the Giants are operating as they remake the roster and the identity of this team.
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Giants QB Jaxson Dart, from SoCal to the Deep South to the Big Apple
New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart points after defeating the Los Angeles Chargers.
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Giants QB Jaxson Dart, from SoCal to the Deep South to the Big Apple
New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart points after defeating the Los Angeles Chargers.
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Giants QB Jaxson Dart, from SoCal to the Deep South to the Big Apple
New York Giants president John Mara general manager Joe Schoen, Jaxson Dart, and head coach Brian Daboll pose for photos prior to the start of the press conference to introduce the Giants first round draft picks in East Rutherford on April 25.
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Giants QB Jaxson Dart, from SoCal to the Deep South to the Big Apple
Jaxson Dart
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Giants QB Jaxson Dart, from SoCal to the Deep South to the Big Apple
Feb 28, 2025; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Mississippi quarterback Jaxson Dart (QB03) answers questions at a press conference during the 2025 NFL Combine at Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephanie Amador Blondet-Imagn Images
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Giants QB Jaxson Dart, from SoCal to the Deep South to the Big Apple
Jan 29, 2025; Mobile, AL, USA; American team quarterback Jaxson Dart of Ole Miss (2) throws the ball during Senior Bowl practice for the National team at Hancock Whitney Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vasha Hunt-Imagn Images
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Giants QB Jaxson Dart, from SoCal to the Deep South to the Big Apple
Jan 30, 2025; Mobile, AL, USA; American team quarterback Jaxson Dart of Ole Miss (2) throws the ball on the run during Senior Bowl practice for the American team at Hancock Whitney Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vasha Hunt-Imagn Images
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Giants QB Jaxson Dart, from SoCal to the Deep South to the Big Apple
Oct 12, 2024; Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA; Mississippi Rebels quarterback Jaxson Dart (2) walks on the field against the LSU Tigers during the first half at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images
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Giants QB Jaxson Dart, from SoCal to the Deep South to the Big Apple
Jaxson Dart
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Giants QB Jaxson Dart, from SoCal to the Deep South to the Big Apple
Jaxson Dart
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Giants QB Jaxson Dart, from SoCal to the Deep South to the Big Apple
Jaxson Dart
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Giants QB Jaxson Dart, from SoCal to the Deep South to the Big Apple
Jaxson Dart
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Giants QB Jaxson Dart, from SoCal to the Deep South to the Big Apple
Jaxson Dart
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Giants QB Jaxson Dart, from SoCal to the Deep South to the Big Apple
Jaxson Dart
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Giants QB Jaxson Dart, from SoCal to the Deep South to the Big Apple
Jaxson Dart
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Giants QB Jaxson Dart, from SoCal to the Deep South to the Big Apple
Jaxson Dart
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Giants QB Jaxson Dart, from SoCal to the Deep South to the Big Apple
Jaxson Dart
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Giants QB Jaxson Dart, from SoCal to the Deep South to the Big Apple
Jaxson Dart
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Giants QB Jaxson Dart, from SoCal to the Deep South to the Big Apple
Jaxson Dart
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Giants QB Jaxson Dart, from SoCal to the Deep South to the Big Apple
Apr 25, 2025; East Rutherford, NJ, US; New York Giants first round draft picks, Abdul Carter and Jaxson Dart interact after posing for photos prior to the start of the press conference. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Salus-Imagn Images
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Giants QB Jaxson Dart, from SoCal to the Deep South to the Big Apple
New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart meets reporters in East Rutherford, NJ.
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Giants QB Jaxson Dart, from SoCal to the Deep South to the Big Apple
Apr 25, 2025; East Rutherford, NJ, US; New York Giants first round draft pick, Jaxson Dart, takes questions from the media during his introduction press conference.
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Giants QB Jaxson Dart, from SoCal to the Deep South to the Big Apple
Apr 25, 2025; East Rutherford, NJ, US; New York Giants first round draft picks, Abdul Carter and Jaxson Dart pose for photos prior to the start of the press conference. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Salus-Imagn Images
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Giants QB Jaxson Dart, from SoCal to the Deep South to the Big Apple
25. Jaxson Dart, QB, NY Giants
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Giants QB Jaxson Dart, from SoCal to the Deep South to the Big Apple
Sep 14, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart (6) warms up before the game against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
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Giants QB Jaxson Dart, from SoCal to the Deep South to the Big Apple
Aug 16, 2025; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart (6) following the game against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-Imagn Images
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Giants QB Jaxson Dart, from SoCal to the Deep South to the Big Apple
Sep 14, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart (6) warms up before the game against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
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Giants QB Jaxson Dart, from SoCal to the Deep South to the Big Apple
ARLINGTON, TEXAS – SEPTEMBER 14: Jaxson Dart #6 of the New York Giants speaks with his parents during pregame warm ups prior to the game against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium on September 14, 2025 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images)
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Giants QB Jaxson Dart, from SoCal to the Deep South to the Big Apple
Sep 14, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart (6) looks on during warmups before the game against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
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Giants QB Jaxson Dart, from SoCal to the Deep South to the Big Apple
New York Giants rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart talks at his locker following Friday’s practice.
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Giants QB Jaxson Dart, from SoCal to the Deep South to the Big Apple
Sep 7, 2025; Landover, Maryland, USA; New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart (6) enters the field before the game against the Washington Commanders at Northwest Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter Casey-Imagn Images
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Giants QB Jaxson Dart, from SoCal to the Deep South to the Big Apple
LANDOVER, MARYLAND – SEPTEMBER 07: Jaxson Dart #6 of the New York Giants looks on prior to a game against the Washington Commanders at Northwest Stadium on September 07, 2025 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
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Giants QB Jaxson Dart, from SoCal to the Deep South to the Big Apple
New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart (6) drops back to pass against the Los Angeles Chargers during the third quarter at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey on Sept. 28, 2025.
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Giants QB Jaxson Dart, from SoCal to the Deep South to the Big Apple
Sep 28, 2025; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart (6) reacts after defeating the Los Angeles Chargers at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images
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Giants QB Jaxson Dart, from SoCal to the Deep South to the Big Apple
New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart (6) looks on before a game against the Los Angeles Chargers at MetLife Stadium, Sep 28, 2025, East Rutherford, NJ, USA.
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Giants QB Jaxson Dart, from SoCal to the Deep South to the Big Apple
New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart (6) rushes the ball against the Chicago Bears during the second half at Soldier Field.
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Giants QB Jaxson Dart, from SoCal to the Deep South to the Big Apple
New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart (6) and running back Cam Skattebo, right, talk before the game against the Green Bay Packers at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on Nov. 16, 2025.
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Giants QB Jaxson Dart, from SoCal to the Deep South to the Big Apple
Oct 26, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart looks on before opening kick off against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
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Giants QB Jaxson Dart, from SoCal to the Deep South to the Big Apple
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – AUGUST 21: Jaxson Dart #6 of the New York Giants and Drake Maye #10 of the New England Patriots talk after the second half of a NFL Preseason 2025 game between New England Patriots and New York Giants at MetLife Stadium on August 21, 2025 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Ishika Samant/Getty Images)
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Giants QB Jaxson Dart, from SoCal to the Deep South to the Big Apple
Nov 9, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart (6) throws pass against the Chicago Bears during the second half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike Dinovo-Imagn Images
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Giants QB Jaxson Dart, from SoCal to the Deep South to the Big Apple
Oct 9, 2025; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart (6) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Philadelphia Eagles of the game at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
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Giants QB Jaxson Dart, from SoCal to the Deep South to the Big Apple
New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart (6) gets ready for the offense to take the field during a week 9 game between New York Giants and San Francisco 49ers at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025.
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Giants QB Jaxson Dart, from SoCal to the Deep South to the Big Apple
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – NOVEMBER 09: Jaxson Dart #6 of the New York Giants walks off the field after an injury during the fourth quarter in the game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on November 09, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
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Giants QB Jaxson Dart, from SoCal to the Deep South to the Big Apple
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – SEPTEMBER 28: Jaxson Dart #6 of the New York Giants hands off to Cam Skattebo #44 of the New York Giants against the Los Angeles Chargers during the second half in the game during their game at MetLife Stadium on September 28, 2025 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
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Giants QB Jaxson Dart, from SoCal to the Deep South to the Big Apple
Week 10: New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart throws a pass against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. The Giants wore throwback uniforms from the team’s look during the 1980s and ’90s in the 24-20 loss.
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Giants QB Jaxson Dart, from SoCal to the Deep South to the Big Apple
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – NOVEMBER 09: Jaxson Dart #6 of the New York Giants celebrates a touchdown against the Chicago Bears during the third quarter in the game at Soldier Field on November 09, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
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Giants QB Jaxson Dart, from SoCal to the Deep South to the Big Apple
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – NOVEMBER 09: Jaxson Dart #6 of the New York Giants celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Chicago Bears during the second quarter in the game at Soldier Field on November 09, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
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Giants QB Jaxson Dart, from SoCal to the Deep South to the Big Apple
New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart (6) looks to throw a pass during a week 9 game between New York Giants and San Francisco 49ers at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025.
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Giants QB Jaxson Dart, from SoCal to the Deep South to the Big Apple
Oct 26, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart (6) looks on after a loss to the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
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Giants QB Jaxson Dart, from SoCal to the Deep South to the Big Apple
Dec 14, 2025; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart (6) enters the field prior to the first quarter against the Washington Commanders at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
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Giants QB Jaxson Dart, from SoCal to the Deep South to the Big Apple
New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart (6) looks for an open teammate, Sunday, December 14, 2025.
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Giants QB Jaxson Dart, from SoCal to the Deep South to the Big Apple
Dec 14, 2025; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart (6) talks with interim head coach Mike Kafka during the fourth quarter against the Washington Commanders at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images
The Harbaugh era will welcome a bit of a culture shock in terms of how the offense will operate. No one is looking to change Dart – if anything, the Giants hope to capitalize on his skill set and will build the playbook around that – but in terms of how the Giants attack schematically, it’s going to be a reset.
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“The good thing, one of the many great things about Jaxson Dart, is he does so many things so well,” Harbaugh said. “I mean, he can live in a lot of different worlds, and if you watch the offenses that we’ve had over the last number of years, it’s built around a lot of different elements, and there’s a lot of different elements that Jaxson can play in. Power run, dropback pass, quarterback-driven stuff, RPOs, quick ball-out type of completions. He can throw the ball downfield, throw it off play action. I’m not sure what he really can’t do, you know? So we’re gonna try to live in those different worlds and see how it fits all the other guys on the offense.”
Nagy, 47, has been a part of an offense established and run in Kansas City by NFL coaching legend and multi-time Super Bowl winner Andy Reid that has featured Patrick Mahomes.
While he did not call plays and has not since his days as head coach of the Chicago Bears, Nagy has played an integral role within the Kansas City offense.
“I think Matt Nagy, I do think the way he runs an offense, it’s going to fit Jaxson Dart,” NBC Sports analyst Chris Simms told NorthJersey.com and The Record. “Jaxson Dart has that playmaking, backyard football ability and I think Matt Nagy is going to enhance that because he’ll understand the player he has. He’s going to give the Giants some structure and some rules, and some offensive plays here. But he’s not going to wipe away his natural God-given ability and his feel for the game, that’s what I like.”
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The think tank of coaches the Giants have put together to help Dart get his game to the next level is evident of that; any plans will blend ideas from Nagy, quarterbacks coach/pass game coordinator Brian Callahan and senior offensive assistant Greg Roman, who will be heavily involved in the run game. Expect running backs coach Willie Taggart and tight ends coach Tim Kelly – who finished last season as the Giants’ interim OC – to also be involved as Harbaugh puts together an offense essentially from scratch.
Establishing the right structure both schematically and from a personnel perspective is paramount to the Giants’ success under Harbaugh, especially in the first year. And if he can take a page from what Mike Vrabel did in New England, as he brought Josh McDaniels back as OC for Maye, finding the proper mix of experience, innovation and rapport could be the difference in Dart taking his game to another level.
During his 18-year tenure in Baltimore, Harbaugh hired five offensive coordinators that arrived with NFL head coaching experience: Cam Cameron, Jim Caldwell, Gary Kubiak, Marc Trestman and Marty Mornhinweg. He also hired Todd Monken, who had been a college head coach at Southern Mississippi.
Nagy was a college quarterback at Delaware. He is a proponent of the West Coast offense and likes his quarterbacks to navigate the pocket with the skill to make plays downfield with his arm in addition to keeping defenses on their heels with his legs. That speaks to Dart’s talent, and a coaching presence as a teacher of concepts and technique should only work to his benefit in development heading into Year 2.
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With Malik Nabers and Cam Skattebo expected back from season-ending injury, Isaiah Likely in a fold as a shiny new toy, new voices in his ear and valuable experience gained, Dart has a chance to mature exponentially as a player and a pro.
The Giants could add to that equation on offense and make a major move in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft by selecting Jeremiyah Love of Notre Dame, the top running back in this class and a dynamic weapon.
Asked if he considered Love to be a very good player, Harbaugh quipped: “I’d probably put ‘very, very’ good player. Put a couple ‘verys’ in front of that, maybe a couple more. He’s really good.”
There is more to Dart’s skill set as a pocket passer – especially with more frontline playmakers in the fold – and the vertical, downfield element to the Giants’ offense represents untapped, immense potential, especially if free agent receivers Darnell Mooney and Calvin Austin can produce as one-year additions.
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Seemingly every significant play Dart made as a rookie came from matching his mind to his physical tools. He has impressed with his instincts, an awareness of what is going to happen on the other side of the ball and the moments that call for the throws he knows he can make.
Dart has a knack for making the difficult look routine. He promised last summer he would not be a robot, and he held firm to that during the season while also staying away from negative plays, striking a balance that has an entire organization excited about the potential of what’s to come.
Harbaugh has not been shy in declaring how the Giants will build this team around the quarterback, adding: “Fully expect him to make that leap.”
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: How Giants plan for Jaxson Dart offense to live in ‘different worlds’