John Harbaugh is eager to begin working with Giants’ Jaxson Dart

Updates on Jackson Dart

Jackson Dart is quite the optimist, to say the least. If he ever meets you, chances are he’ll strike up a friendly conversation and sincerely compliment you.

Recently, while the Giants were looking for a new head coach, Dart took the initiative to swing by the team facility whenever he was nearby. He wanted to connect with the players who were vying for the position.

The interviews went well overall, but when Dart was asked about the candidates later, his feedback didn’t offer much depth. “Jackson liked everyone he spoke with because of his upbeat nature,” shared general manager Joe Schoen following the announcement of John Harbaugh as the Giants’ new head coach.

Dart certainly contributed to Harbaugh’s interest in taking on the coaching role after a difficult season that saw the team ending up 4-13. Harbaugh had been released by the Ravens after 18 years and quickly began exploring options with teams that were eager for his expertise. During his tenure in Baltimore, he had essentially two primary quarterbacks: Joe Flacco and Lamar Jackson.

Harbaugh took a keen interest in Dart and came away impressed. “The quarterback position is crucial,” he noted. “You really build a team around that player and their unique skills. I admire Dart’s talent and everything he’s done thus far. More importantly, I appreciate who he is. He’s deeply committed to football and always eager to discuss it. I’m looking forward to collaborating with him.”

Dart had a 4-8 record as a rookie starter, throwing 24 touchdowns—15 through the air and 9 on the ground—while limiting himself to just five interceptions. The Giants recognized his appeal and made it a point to engage him during the hiring process.

Interestingly, Dart managed to outshine some skeptics. Schoen recounted that Dart was on the phone with Coach Harbaugh, emphasizing that they hadn’t arranged anything officially; it was all quite organic, which felt special. They ended up spending valuable time together during the interview, both sharing a love for the game. “We had to gently coax them out of the room to keep things on schedule,” he humorously added.