Giants QB Jaxson Dart Sends Clear Message After Patriots Hit

By Matthew Couden

Contributing Writer

ShareNewsweek is a Trust Project member

Jaxson Dart returned for the New York Giants for "Monday Night Football" and received a welcome back from the New England Patriots. That not only included a fierce 33-15 win by the Pats, but also a massive body check during the game that sent Dart flying out of bounds.

That led to a first-quarter scuffle between the two squads and later prompted reporters to ask Dart about the big hit and possibly adjust his playing style or change things up.

"I was scrambling out of the pocket trying to get a first down, and the guy made a good hit," he said, later telling another reporter, "This is football. I'm gonna get whether I'm inside the pocket or outside the pocket. I've played this way my entire life."

Read more: Bears’ Ben Johnson Has Strong Message After Black Friday Win Over Eagles

"I did slide. I did avoid a lot of hits. You're gonna get hit, it's football," he said, adding, "My body feels good. I got knocked out of the game against Chicago on a fluke play."

Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart tackled by Patriots defender Harold Landry III

...

The hit that drew attention arrived late in the first quarter as Dart was scrambling for a first down. Patriots linebacker Christian Elliss chased him and promptly checked him out of bounds to stop any more progress.

"It looked to me like it was a legal hit," commentator Troy Aikman said as they watched referees intervene in the players' fighting.

"Dart trying to get a little bit extra, and he has to protect himself," Aikman also said, calling the Giants QB "a target."

Following the brief skirmish between the two squads, the refs penalized the Giants' Theo Johnson with a personal foul for 15 yards, neutralizing Dart's scramble for extra yards.

Loading twitter content...

Despite taking such a massive hit on his attempt at a first down, Dart didn't have any injuries, as he described after the game.

“My body feels good. So you know, I’m going to play aggressive. I feel like if I just turn into a complete pocket passer, that’s just not how I play the game. I feel like there’s an advantage to me using my legs,” he said at his postgame press conference.

The loss dropped New York to 2-11 on the season, which took a hit by injuries to rookie Cam Skatteboo and Malik Nabers. That took away several of Dart's potent offensive weapons.

The Giants will enjoy a nearly two-week break to process the loss and recover from any ill effects. They'll next host the Washington Commanders on Sunday, Dec. 14.

Read more: Patrick Mahomes Sends Clear Message After Chiefs Lose to Cowboys

For more about the New York Giants and the NFL, visit Newsweek Sports.

Request Reprint & LicensingSubmit CorrectionView Editorial & AI Guidelines