Mike Kafka Sends Warning to Giants Rookie QB Jaxson Dart
Jaxson Dart has been the talk of the NFL since he made his debut as a starter on Sunday, Sept. 28 as his New York Giants upset the Los Angeles Chargers 21-18. Dart profiles as a mobile, dual-threat quarterback, and he showed that on Sunday, rushing 10 times for a total of 54 yards.
Giants offensive coordinator Mike Kafka spoke to the media on Thursday afternoon and talked about the pros and cons of having a quarterback like Dart who likes to escape the pocket at the risk of his own safety.
Mike Kafka was asked about his philosophy on Jaxson Dart's running and scrambling:
"Jaxson's a tough player. He's competitive and you don't want to take that away from him. Just gotta be smart in certain situations. I don't want to put the players in a box at all" pic.twitter.com/7qV4PE93VO
— Giants Videos (@SNYGiants) October 2, 2025
“It’s the age old question of the running quarterbacks… you don’t really know until you get hit, once you get hit you learn a little bit from that,” Kafka said.
With that being said, Kafka likes the versatility that Dart offers, and doesn’t want to take that away from him.
“Jaxson’s a tough player,” Kafka said. “He’s competitive and you don’t want to take that away from him. Just got to be smart, there’s a time when you want to slide and get down, there’s a time when you’ve got to go get that yard. Just gotta be smart in certain situations. I don’t want to put the players in a box at all. It’s a smart balance that we’ve got to work through.”
Jaxson Dart: Savior of the New York Giants?
The Giants looked… underwhelming in the first few weeks of the season, and that’s putting it incredibly kindly.
Russell Wilson was abysmal outside of his performance in Dallas week two, hence the turn to Dart for week four. Dart came in with a mindset of taking the job and running with it, and he’s off to a great start as he led New York to arguably the biggest upset in the NFL of the first month.
The 22-year-old showed out against a strong LA defense, even without star wide receiver Malik Nabers for most of the game. Though he threw just 20 passes and only picked up 111 yards in the air, Dart effectively spread the ball around and allowed the Giants strength, the run game, to work at it’s peak.
How Will Dart Fare Without Malik Nabers Moving Forward?
Dart won’t have his No. 1 target for the rest of the season, as Nabers was diagnosed with a torn ACL. This means that like the second half he played without Nabers, Dart will have to find new avenues to keep the pass game afloat without it’s star.
New York will need Wan’Dale Robinson and Darius Slayton to fill in as legitimate threats for Dart to look towards. Even though he had success in his first week, the Giants will certainly be looking for Dart to throw the ball more often, especially against good run defenses.
The uphill climb the Giants were already facing seems just as arduous even after their first win of the season. Can Jaxson Dart be the spark plug the team needs moving forward?
He’ll have a favorable matchup this weekend as New York is set to take on the 0-4 New Orleans Saints.
Terry McLaurin Declares: 'This is Just a Bump in the Road' – Ready to Return Stronger Than Ever!
Washington Commanders' star wide receiver, Terry McLaurin, has faced a setback with a quad injury, but he’s not letting it define him or his season. Speaking out about his recovery, McLaurin has made it clear that he views this injury as just a "bump in the road."
“This is just a bump in the road,” McLaurin said, exuding confidence in his ability to bounce back. “I’m confident in the guys stepping up and filling the gap while I heal. When I’m back, we’re going to hit the ground running.”
While McLaurin’s absence has certainly left a void in the Commanders' offense, his optimism shines through. The injury has kept him out of action, but his focus remains on returning stronger than ever. McLaurin has consistently been one of the team's top playmakers, and his absence on the field is noticeable, but he believes in the depth of the team and the abilities of his teammates to rise to the occasion.
McLaurin’s words come after the Commanders’ tough start to the season, where they’ve had their share of struggles. But his resolve to get back into the game shows his commitment not just to himself, but to his team. With his leadership and determination, McLaurin plans to return and be a major contributor to his team's success.
The Commanders' receiving corps has had to step up in McLaurin’s absence, with players like Jahan Dotson and Curtis Samuel picking up the slack. However, McLaurin’s leadership and big-play ability are things the team misses dearly. With McLaurin’s mindset, the team is staying positive, focusing on the bigger picture, and ensuring they stay competitive until he’s back on the field.
For McLaurin, this injury is just a small setback. His confidence in the team, his preparation to return, and his dedication to the cause are all testaments to his character. McLaurin is not only focused on healing but also on keeping the team united and motivated during his recovery process.
As McLaurin continues his rehab, there’s no doubt that when he returns, he’ll come back with a vengeance, ready to lead his team to victories. His confidence is infectious, and it’s just a matter of time before he’s back to making plays that will electrify the Commanders’ offense.
McLaurin's resilience serves as a reminder that setbacks are just temporary—what truly matters is how one comes back from them. With his attitude, determination, and leadership, McLaurin is bound to make a major impact once he's back on the field.
