New York Giants offensive coordinator Matt Nagy has identified early signs of a promising quarterback-tight end partnership between rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart and tight end Isaiah Likely. Nagy, who gained firsthand experience watching the development of Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce in Kansas City, sees parallels in how Dart and Likely are beginning to build chemistry on the field.

Nagy was the Chiefs offensive coordinator in 2017 when Mahomes was a rookie and Kelce was entering a breakout phase in his fifth NFL season. Though Mahomes initially served as a backup, the rapport between the two started forming during practice. Over subsequent seasons, Mahomes and Kelce developed into one of the league’s most prolific duos. After four years coaching the Chicago Bears, Nagy returned to the Chiefs and observed the pair’s growth into elite players.

Now guiding the Giants offense, Nagy said the relationship between Dart and Likely is in its initial stages but holds similar potential. “I was there for the beginning stages of Mahomes and Kelce, and what we have here with Jaxson and Zay is right there,” Nagy said. “It’s not there yet, but it’s at the beginning stages.”

Likely, signed to a three-year, $40 million contract, has quickly established himself as a reliable target for Dart. In the Giants’ Week 1 victory over the Dallas Cowboys, Likely caught eight passes on eight targets, totaling 78 yards and two touchdowns. He was instrumental on third downs, converting four of the team’s nine third-down plays, earning the nickname “Third-and-Likely” in the locker room.

Head coach John Harbaugh and Nagy have emphasized the value of tight ends in the offensive scheme, similar to the roles coaches have played in developing players like Kelce. Likely’s physicality and strong ball skills have allowed New York to incorporate creative plays, making him an established safety valve and a potential downfield threat.

Likely credited significant off-field work to building trust and understanding with Dart. “We put a lot of time in in the offseason off the field to know where I’m supposed to be, where he needs me to be, and what I’m supposed to do on different looks,” Likely said. “My job is to make his life as easy as possible—to make hard catches easy and easy catches easier.”

Broadcast analyst Cris Collinsworth remarked on the similarity between Likely’s usage and the pattern Nagy employed with Kelce in Kansas City. Tight ends coach Tim Kelly praised Likely’s instincts and ability to find openings on the field, highlighting qualities that cannot easily be taught.

While the current assessment is based on a limited sample size—primarily one game—opponents are expected to adjust their coverage. Still, the Giants remain optimistic that the partnership between Dart and Likely will continue to develop throughout the season. Likely reflected on the rookie’s progression: “Probably like four, five, six months I’ve been with Jax. I feel like we’re only scratching the surface.”