The New York Giants have been building a brand new culture and identity this offseason after hiring John Harbaugh as their new head coach. I was at Fanatics Fest on Sunday for a live taping of The Fantasy Footballers (hosted by Mike Wright and Jason Moore), where Dart sat alongside Cam Skattebo and walked through what has changed inside the building.
Dart says the Giants’ new identity starts up front
Cam Skattebo, Jaxson Dart, Mike Wright and Jason Moore speak onstage during Fantasy Footballers at Fanatics Fest NYC 2026 at Jacob Javits Center on July 19, 2026 in New York City.
Credit: (Photo by Roy Rochlin/Getty Images for Fanatics)
“[Coach John Harbaugh’s] identity starts in the trenches and that’s what he wants to build the team around: our physicality, our toughness,” Dart said from the panel, in comments I captured on video. “We got big Pancake Pat coming in and obviously Skatt, Tracy, Motor and all those boys. So it really starts with the big boys up front.”
When speaking about the culture, Dart’s comments were exciting. “I think the biggest change has just been the culture,” Dart said. “Like how Harbs establishes camaraderie between the team, the coaching staff, the standard. It’s a different feeling, it’s a refreshing feeling, and I think that we’re all really excited.”
“I think the biggest change has been the culture… how Harbs establishes camaraderie between the team, the coaching staff, the standard. It’s a refreshing feeling.” – Jaxson Dart on John Harbaugh’s new culture pic.twitter.com/RN5WYwtCZ8
— Anthony Rivardo (@Anthony_Rivardo) July 19, 2026
The Ricard signing is the thesis statement
Patrick Ricard blocking during an NFL game
Credit: Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images
Ricard agreed to a two-year deal worth a maximum of $8.5 million with a base value of $7.63 million, making him the highest-paid fullback in football on a per-year basis. The 6-foot-3, 300-pound veteran spent all nine of his NFL seasons under Harbaugh in Baltimore, earning six Pro Bowl nods and All-Pro honors in each of the last three years, including first-team in 2025. He is the fourth Ravens free agent to follow Harbaugh to East Rutherford, joining tight end Isaiah Likely, safety Ar’Darius Washington and punter Jordan Stout.
Brian Daboll’s Giants did not carry a true fullback, using a tight end in the role instead. Paying market-setting money for a position the previous staff declined to roster is not a depth move. It is a declaration of what the offense intends to look like on first down.
Dart’s rookie tape already fit the profile
Jaxson Dart, NFL: New York Giants at Chicago Bears
Credit: Mike Dinovo-Imagn Images
Dart accounted for 24 total touchdowns in 12 starts as a rookie, throwing for 2,272 yards with 15 touchdowns and five interceptions while adding 290 scramble yards and nine rushing scores. Per PFF, his 76.9 rushing grade ranked ninth among 30 qualified quarterbacks, well clear of his 67.9 overall mark. The physical element Harbaugh is now installing around him was already the most productive part of his game.
Those nine rushing touchdowns set a Giants single-season franchise record for a quarterback and rank third all time among rookie quarterbacks.
Rookie QB rushing TDs, NFL history Season Total
Cam Newton 2011 14
Billy Kilmer 1961 10
Jaxson Dart 2025 9
A culture quote only counts if the roster backs it
Culture talk in July is cheap, and every quarterback in the league is saying some version of what Dart said on that stage. The difference here is that the roster moves preceded the quote. Harbaugh imported his fullback, his tight end, his safety and his punter, then handed the run game to Skattebo and Tyrone Tracy Jr. behind them.
Dart added one more thing before the panel moved on: “I’m excited to get my guys back healthy.”
Camp will show whether the standard he described survives contact.
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Anthony Rivardo is the COO of Empire Sports Media and the host of Fireside Giants, a New York Giants ... More about Anthony Rivardo