Robert Saleh has indicated he’d gladly take $100,000 from Woody Johnson for the opportunity to coach Jackson Dart.
Saleh seems to understand better than anyone the boost Dart provided to head coach Brian Daboll, especially after Daboll’s fourth season with the Jets ended with a quarterback dilemma.
In a twist of fate, Saleh is now the defensive coordinator for the 49ers, tasked with making life tough for Dart, Daboll, and the Giants this Sunday.
“He’s got incredible talent,” Saleh remarked Thursday, laughing a bit. “I totally get why Daboll went to check on him. I might have done the same thing; this kid’s got something special.” It’s worth noting that Daboll was fined $100,000 by the NFL for what was deemed “conduct detrimental to the league,” while the Giants faced an additional $200,000 penalty for Daboll’s actions during a concussion test against the Eagles on October 9. The league felt it created a perception of interference with an independent medical examination, but Daboll just wanted to see how his new player was doing.
“I really think New York nailed it,” Saleh added. “He’s dynamic and decisive. Watching him review tape in his five starts has been quite the experience. They’ve done well with him—hiding some responsibilities in the game plan each week. This kid has that potential to really shine.”
How can Saleh disrupt Dart’s growth? By straying from his usual approach.
NextGenStats show that when Dart isn’t under pressure, he completes 67.8% of his passes, throwing four touchdowns with no interceptions and a passer rating of 101.4. Under pressure, though, those numbers drop significantly—46.2% completion with four touchdowns, three interceptions, and a 72.4 rating.
The 49ers have managed to pressure quarterbacks on only 25.9% of their dropbacks, the lowest in the league. Saleh relies on a four-man rush and avoids blitzing, focusing instead on creating turnovers; they’ve recovered six fumbles, tying for the league lead.
“I noticed early in the week how messy the ball was,” Dart said. “Their defense has a knack for forcing turnovers at critical moments, and they play with a lot of intensity. It’s definitely going to be a challenge for us.”
Daboll and Saleh have built a friendship while coaching in New York from 2022 to 2024, respecting each other’s approach throughout shared events like joint practices and preseason games.
Some might doubt Saleh’s quarterback insights, especially after his experiences with multiple starters in New York. But Dart’s recent recognition as the NFL’s Offensive Rookie of the Month is noteworthy—no Giants quarterback has achieved that outside of Eli Manning or Daniel Jones’ standout years.
It’s also worth considering the perspective of Kyle Shanahan, who’s working to revive Mac Jones’ career after successfully maximizing the talents of Sam Darnold, Brock Purdy, and Jimmy Garoppolo.
“I was really impressed with him,” Shanahan pointed out. “They’re mixing in a lot of run-pass options, and he really understands the game. He has a great instinct for off-schedule plays, knowing when to attack and where to find guys in coverage. His vision is exceptional when he’s outside the pocket, and even in the pocket, he displays strong quarterback skills.”
The 49ers opted not to draft Dart with the 11th pick, primarily due to their commitment to Purdy, who recently signed a substantial five-year contract extension.
Purdy has been dealing with a toe injury since late September, putting the 49ers in a different situation than the Giants, who rely on Dart to step in without established starters.
“Jackson has done a fantastic job of bringing everyone together,” noted Giants offensive coordinator Mike Kafka. “Whether he was having extra meetings or chatting with them on the sidelines, it’s clear those open conversations have helped a lot.”
