The 2025 NFL season was the beginning of something special for the New York Giants. They seem to have found their franchise quarterback. After the poor play of Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston, Jaxson Dart had his chance.
Despite missing three games due to injury, Dart’s dual-threat production was elite for a rookie. He passed for 2,272 yards and 15 touchdowns while throwing five interceptions. Dart also rushed for 487 yards and nine rushing touchdowns, while taking 35 sacks.
But for Jaxson Dart, the focus for the 2026 NFL season is transitioning from a promising rookie starter to a consistent franchise quarterback for the New York Giants.
Here are some technical and mental techniques that Dart must face as he prepares for the 2026 NFL season.
Top Practices that Jaxson Dart Must Improve on in 2026
Pocket Discipline and Footwork
Dart’s drop-back footwork is often described as undisciplined. This causes him to be off-balance and disrupt the rhythm of the play’s timing. Improving his mental clock will help him stay in structure, unlock more consistent arm strength, and prevent passes from sailing on him.
Self-Preservation of Dart
A major issue for Jaxson Dart is his health. If he is to set a big goal, it is for him to stay on the field for a full 17-game season. Coaches, including John Harbaugh, are expected to emphasize knowing when to slide, throw the football away, or avoid putting his body on the line as a runner.
Dart was evaluated for a concussion five times and ten games during his rookie season, and it could have been more. It forced him to miss time in protocol. To stay on the field in 2026, he is being urged to adopt several safety-first habits:
He must change his running style. The organization has reportedly urged Dart to be thoughtful when he runs. This includes choosing to slide or to go out of bounds rather than lowering his shoulder for extra yardage.
Dart must throw the football away. Developing the discipline to throw the ball away when a play breaks down instead of taking a sack is key. This oftentimes led to his head hitting the turf multiple times in 2025.
Advanced Processing
Coming from a first-read-heavy system at Ole Miss, Jaxson Dart still needs to redefine his ability to scan the full field and work through multiple progressions. He has shown a tendency to ‘stare down’ initial targets, which can lead to turnover-worthy plays when his first option is covered down the field.
While Dart has the athleticism to escape, his mechanics and accuracy can falter when the pocket gets cluttered. Developing ‘subtle pocket movement’ to extend plays without panicking is a high-priority developmental step. While accurate on short to intermediate throws, his deep ball needs more touch and consistent mechanics to keep defenses from crowding the line.
Conclusion
The New York Giants have the chance to become a sleeper pick in what has now been known to be a crowded NFC East. It would not be a surprise to many people to see Dart take many steps forward in his game. The Giants will be healthy by 2026, and they can make some noise.