​Dart’s development as a passer remains a major project for this season. Head coach John Harbaugh is rebuilding the New York Giants around a foundation of suffocating defense and a powerful ground game, but the team’s upside will largely depend on how much Jaxson Dart can grow in his second year, especially in heeding the cautions about a few “subpar” numbers that his new coaches cannot overlook. Those concerns come from Bradley Locker of Pro Football Focus, who labeled Dart’s accuracy as a significant weakness. Dart posted an 11.2% plus-accurate-throw rate that tied for last in the league and a 58.9% accurate-throw rate that tied for 21st. These figures underscore ball-placement issues that contributed to a 3.4% turnover-worthy play rate, which was tied for the sixth-highest among quarterbacks in 2025.
Improving accuracy is a natural part of the learning curve for any young NFL quarterback, but Locker warned that if Dart does not take a meaningful step forward in 2026, it could lead to awkward conversations or even personnel changes in the next offseason. That assessment might feel aggressive given the Giants’ decision to trade up for a first-round pick to secure Dart in the 2025 draft, yet the troubling numbers Locker highlighted reflect a pattern of concerns for Big Blue’s QB1 as he enters a pivotal sophomore season.
Dart’s flaws aren’t new. He has repeatedly shown issues with accuracy and with avoiding poor decisions and sacks, according to Locker. The path to better accuracy starts with refining his mechanics from the pocket, a process he has already begun under the guidance of a quarterback whisperer on Harbaugh’s staff. Sharper footwork and improved field vision are essential first steps toward Dart becoming more comfortable threading passes into tight windows. The rookie year exposed several hurdles: seven passes batted down at or behind the line of scrimmage and a 15.5% bad-throw rate, as tracked by Pro Football Reference. Those are telltale signs of the kind of mechanical and decision-making habits that must be corrected if he is to elevate his game.
Becoming more confident in his targets will also help Dart shed a tendency that could derail his growth. Developing quicker reads and delivering the ball sooner will be crucial to reducing unnecessary risk and to enabling Dart to protect himself when pressure arrives. The objective is to enable him to complete passes with better timing and precision, both inside the pocket and on the move, while minimizing the number of dangerous attempts.
There is plenty for Dart to learn, but Harbaugh has done his part to place him in a position to succeed. The coaching staff has surrounding him with experienced mentors, including new offensive coordinator Matt Nagy, whose track record of refining raw talent—most famously helping to polish Patrick Mahomes in Kansas City—offers a blueprint for Dart’s growth. Opinions on Nagy vary, but the veteran play-caller brings a skill set and a availability of complementary weapons that could accelerate Dart’s development into a more efficient, reliable passer.
To accelerate his progress, Dart must get the ball out quicker and with better placement. Quick, decisive throws to playmakers who can gain yards after the catch will help boost his efficiency while his mechanics and timing continue to improve. The aim is to empower Dart to make smarter decisions, reduce the likelihood of ill-advised throws, and increase his accuracy under pressure. If he can translate improved mechanics into cleaner reads and faster delivery, he will put the Giants on a more secure path toward consistent offensive production.
In the end, Dart’s sophomore year will be a test of his ability to translate potential into steady, accurate throwing and smarter decision-making. The surrounding organization has laid the groundwork to support that growth, but the biggest determinant will be Dart’s own willingness to rapidly correct his flaws, elevate his pocket presence, and deliver the ball with precision when it matters most. If he rises to that challenge, the Giants can become a more dynamic, balanced offense; if not, the questions surrounding his long-term fit and development will only intensify as he moves further into his second season.