New York Giants rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart has completed eight starts in his NFL career, marking a promising beginning to his professional tenure. Yet, despite his evident talent, Dart has faced mounting criticism for his tendency to expose himself to unnecessary hits on the field.
Dart returned to action during Monday Night Football in Week 13, where he absorbed what may have been the most punishing blow of his young career — a jarring tackle near the sideline in the first half. Though the hit was legal, it ignited widespread concern and intensified discussions about the need for Dart to better safeguard himself.
ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith addressed Dart’s aggressive tendencies earlier this week, delivering a pointed critique.
“It’s not worth it,” Smith said. “It’s very idiotic on his part, and I want to use that strong word not to insult him. I want to use that strong word so he understands the severity of what we’re talking about here and he protects himself.”
Smith referenced a recent segment on Get Up featuring former NFL player Jeff Saturday, whom he praised effusively: “You’ve never been more right, Sergeant Friday, you’ve never been more right. These aren’t those cats you were going against in college. This ain’t some rec league.”
He continued, emphasizing the unique demands of the professional level: “At some point in time, your talent, all of these guys aspire to be in the NFL and then you get to the NFL and you want to forget what this league is and why it was so important for you to get to this level, because this is the crème de la crème, this is the elite. These are men out here, not boys.”
Smith urged Dart to prioritize self-preservation.
“To subject yourself to unnecessary violence, it’s not a smart thing for a quarterback to do. It’s just that simple. First drive of the game, Harold Landry put a blow on him, okay? He held onto the ball too long, and instead of throwing it away, he got popped. We saw what Christian Ellis did to him when he was scampering down that right sideline. That was a vicious hit but totally legal,” he said, underscoring Dart’s broader responsibilities.
“You can’t subject yourself — you’re the face of the franchise, you’re that important. And most importantly, as Dominique Foxworth said on the same segment that you were on with Jeff Saturday, you got other people’s futures in your hands, not just your own. Other players that depend on your level of production and coaches. You gotta think about everybody, not just yourself. You have to stay in play.”
Smith concluded with a sobering warning, tempered by admiration, although he did so using misinformation, claiming Dart had suffered multiple concussions this season (he’s been evaluated four times with one concussion).
“And to subject yourself to unnecessary punishment is stupid, especially when you’re somebody who’s already missed games because you’ve been concussed on multiple occasions this year. Multiple. It’s just — it’s just not smart,” he said. “Yeah, and somebody has to tell him again. You’re not telling it to him to insult him because Jaxson Dart is a hell of a player. Has tremendous potential. I know I’m rooting for him — the whole bit. Everybody is. But you’re seeing words like stupid and idiotic because we’re trying to save you from yourself. He will not last long in this league if he continues to take shots and subject himself to taking the kind of shots we saw him take last night.”
Such concerns about Dart’s high-risk style have echoed throughout the season, with Smith hardly the first to voice them. Earlier this week, Saturday and former Giants quarterback Tyrod Taylor — who endured his own share of injuries during a lengthy career — offered their perspectives on the toll of the hits Dart has absorbed.
In response to the heightened scrutiny, the Giants’ rookie fielded numerous questions about his approach to self-protection during media sessions. He staunchly defended his playing style, highlighting its value to the team’s offensive scheme.
Dart’s mobility remains a cornerstone of his effectiveness as a dual-threat quarterback, enabling the Giants to exploit defenses in unique ways. The objective is not to eliminate his running altogether but to encourage more judicious decision-making when pursuing extra yardage.
Having sat out the previous two games due to injury, Dart now faces the imperative to balance aggression with prudence in the weeks ahead. Absent adjustments to his on-field habits, the questions — and the critiques — are likely to persist.
This article originally appeared on Giants Wire: Stephen A. Smith on Giants QB Jaxson Dart’s play style: ‘Very idiotic’
Reporting by Tyler Henry, Giants Wire / Giants Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
