New York Giants legend Phil Simms finds himself divided when it comes to Jaxson Dart.
On the one hand, Simms isn’t pleased with Dart’s off-field actions, including traveling with teammates to San Antonio for an NBA Finals game.
When it comes to gameday, though, Simms loves what he sees in Dart.
“Every day that went on, I went, ‘Oh wow, I underestimated his talents in both things; throwing the football and … the running ability,’” Simms said on the “Up & Adams” podcast.
Dart has come under criticism for his aggressive playstyle, including a tendency to scramble and put himself at risk of injury.
Dart was evaluated for concussions at least five times as a rookie and missed two games.
“So Jaxson Dart can be a superstar; there is no doubt about it,” Simms added. “He has superstar qualities and talent.”
Giants fans should love Phil Simms’ optimism on Jaxson Dart
Considering Simms’ status as a Super Bowl-winning quarterback, his comments should mean everything to Dart. Interestingly, this wasn’t an instance of a franchise icon electing solely to praise and talk up a young player.
Simms suggested that he believes Dart needs to “calm it down” and make it clear his mind is on football.
Kudos to Simms for doing something that we as a society have collectively lost: he didn’t let personal opinions dictate his analysis of Dart as a player.
It is incredibly easy, especially in the social media era, to change your feelings on Dart solely because you disagree with him.
Above all else, Simms sounds all-in on Dart as a franchise quarterback. That in itself is encouraging given how divided the media is on Dart.
CBS Sports’ Jared Dubin has repeatedly questioned whether Dart can be successful if he changes how he plays. Dubin is also among those who have used terms like “reckless” when discussing Dart.
Simms has been around enough quarterbacks and elite players to know what makes someone special. At least for now, he’s a firm believer in Dart and whatever his future holds.
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