WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W.Va. — New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart is focusing on improving his footwork as a drop-back passer to advance his development in his second NFL season. While much of the conversation around Dart has centered on his ability to extend plays with his legs and avoid big hits, coaches and analysts say refining his mechanics within the pocket remains a critical area for growth.

Dart’s first year with the Giants featured a heavy reliance on shotgun formations, with nearly 80 percent of plays run from that alignment, and an offense incorporating run-pass option (RPO) concepts familiar to him from college at Ole Miss. However, under new offensive coordinator Matt Nagy, the team is shifting toward a more traditional NFL offense that demands Dart operate more frequently under center and utilize play-action passes to create balanced offensive sets.

“Footwork is a mandate,” said ESPN analyst and former quarterback Dan Orlovsky. He explained that quarterbacks typically progress by enhancing their understanding of different dropbacks—three-step, five-step, seven- or eight-step—and how those drops align with route timing, protection schemes, and overall play concepts. Orlovsky emphasized that mastering pocket footwork is essential for Dart to make a significant leap forward.

Several young quarterbacks, including MVPs Josh Allen of the Buffalo Bills and Lamar Jackson of the Baltimore Ravens, saw improvements in their pocket mechanics late in their second seasons. Orlovsky also cited former Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold, whose enhanced footwork helped him meet expectations after initial struggles.

Dart acknowledged working intensively on his foot placement during practice, noting that while it requires focused repetition, it has become less of a conscious effort during live reps. “We’ve repped the hell out of it,” Dart said early in training camp. “I’m feeling really good with the track that we’re on.”

Giants head coach John Harbaugh stressed patience with Dart’s progression but also highlighted the complexity the quarterback faces in mastering a new offense. After a practice-ending interception early in camp, Harbaugh reminded observers of the mental and physical demands placed on a young quarterback. “You can’t even imagine how much there is for a quarterback to operate with, especially in a new offense,” he said. “He’s pushing the envelope. He’s also competing at the same time.”

In his rookie campaign, Dart ranked 19th among NFL quarterbacks in estimated points added on passing plays. The Giants hope that by emphasizing pocket reads and progressions, he will become more adept at recognizing disguised coverages and avoid defaulting to scrambling when his initial reads are unavailable.

Orlovsky highlighted that second-year quarterbacks often see defenses more clearly and begin anticipating pressures and coverages earlier, which contributes to overall efficiency. “He knows that out of certain structures, he’s only going to get a couple different pressures. He’s seeing them more. He understands them more. He can get ahead of them quicker,” Orlovsky said.

The Giants’ approach in training camp includes treating each passing attempt as an opportunity to play multiple downfield scenarios, allowing Dart to maneuver if his primary reads are covered. Harbaugh indicated that Dart is progressing well through his reads, while the coaching staff narrows the playbook focus leading up to the regular season.

“While we’re installing plays, a lot of times it’s to exotic looks,” Dart said. “It’s good for us to have that communication and make those adjustments so by the time we get into the season, we feel like we’ve seen a lot already.”

As Dart continues to develop his footwork and decision-making within the pocket, the Giants are hopeful he can build on his rookie season and become a more consistent and efficient passer in 2026.