It's not far-fetched to say the New York Giants boast one of the NFL's worst skill-position groups without star wide receiver Malik Nabers. Is saying that his potential absence will stunt quarterback Jaxson Dart's growth a stretch, though?
Yes — unless you ask ESPN's Mina Kimes, who seems to believe that Dart's progression is directly connected to Nabers' availability (or lack thereof).
Speaking on NFL Live, Kimes said Dart's Year 2 trajectory is "all contingent on" Nabers, who's currently recovering from a torn ACL and meniscus.
"When I think about the things you want to see from Dart in terms of his development, playing a little faster, throwing with anticipation, scrambling less, it's hard for me to imagine him making that leap if Nabers isn't on the field for the majority of the season," Kimes stated.
On the surface, the idea of a young signal-caller plateauing, or even regressing, sans his unquestioned alpha wideout is a valid, if not run-of-the-mill, take. There's just one problem with Kimes' assessment: Dart has already shown he can make meaningful strides without Nabers.
Giants fans know Mina Kimes' Jaxson Dart assessment is way off base
Where was Nabers when the Dart-led Giants defeated the Philadelphia Eagles 34-17 in primetime last season? Or when New York took a 26-8 fourth-quarter lead on the road versus the AFC runner-up Denver Broncos (before a historic collapse)? What about when Big Blue nearly took down the NFC North champion Chicago Bears in the iconic Soldier Field?
While the G-Men didn't beat Denver or Chicago, it wasn't because of Dart; quite the opposite, actually. The 2025 first-round pick did everything he could to give his team the best chance to win in hostile environments against formidable opponents. Not to mention, the Bears only managed to eke out a comeback victory once a concussion removed him from the game.
Dart completed 54.8 percent of his passes for 525 yards, three touchdowns and an interception across the showdowns with the Broncos and Bears. He also provided an additional 77 yards and three scores on the ground.
Of course, having Nabers would be preferred, yet he's not the be-all and end-all in New York. The LSU product is undeniably an exceptional talent and one of the top players not only at his position but in the league.
Nevertheless, Dart is what ultimately makes everything go for the Giants' offense and organization at large. He's the face of the franchise, and his outlook is the driving force for the entire locker room, including Nabers.
Whether Nabers is ready for Week 1 of the 2026 campaign after getting hurt this past September remains to be seen. He's a candidate to be placed on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list come training camp in late July.
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