The next time someone tells you that NFL preseason games are just a source of meaningless overreactions, try issuing a reminder that it took four passes for the Jaxson Dart Hype Train to reach full speed last summer — and it hasn’t slowed down yet.
By the time the rookie dropped an introductory 28-yard touchdown pass in the bucket to complete an 80-yard drive featuring two scrambles, Dart had shaved some time off the expected number of weeks he had to wait on the bench behind Russell Wilson.
So, while the result of Saturday’s 1 p.m. Giants-Vikings clash at MetLife Stadium soon will be forgotten, certain tones will be set.
And good vibes — let’s call them “points scored” — are needed (especially but not exclusively on any series led by Dart) for the new Matt Nagy-coordinated offense that has looked out of sync for most of training camp.
New York Giants offensive coordinator Matt Nagy looks on during training camp at the Quest Diagnostics Center on Thursday, August 13, 2026, in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Corey Sipkin for the NY POST
Preseason offenses are usually vanilla by design but …
“He’s definitely aggressive. He’s definitely wanting to create explosive plays,” Dart said of Nagy. “But the big thing is he wants to always stay ahead of the sticks. That’s the big point of emphasis that we have. Any negative plays, whether it may be penalties [or] loss of yardage on a run or sacks, he’s really big on minimizing those things. I think that as an offensive coordinator, when you’re able to get your players to do that, it definitely helps him feel like he’s in control of the game, helps our offense get into a flow.”
Head coach John Harbaugh didn’t commit to playing his offensive starters given the risk of injury, but it sure sounded like he recognized the importance of Dart and Nagy building a rhythm and gaining confidence before facing the Cowboys and Rams in Weeks 1 and 2, respectively.
The same could be said for Nagy establishing an in-game rapport with passing game coordinator Brian Callahan and running game coordinator Greg Roman.
The starters don’t need to be in to accomplish that goal.
“That’s the crux of what we have to consider,” Harbaugh said. “A big part of it [is] executing a new offense but also a young quarterback. He’s just getting started. And we’re going to be playing two of the best teams in our conference right out of the gates. And so we’d like to be ready for that. So, that’s part of the consideration.”
Giants fans still are haunted by the way that once-promising quarterback Daniel Jones turtled under coordinator Jason Garrett during his second season and never came out of his shell.
Patrick Mahomes’ regression from superhuman to stardom over the last two seasons — when Nagy was the Chiefs’ non-play-calling coordinator — is adding to the anxiety.
“Coach Harbaugh is letting his coaches build a system that is very unique to all of them,” backup quarterback Jameis Winston said. “I can compare it to gumbo. There’s just so many good mixes in there.”
New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart (6) hands off to running back Cam Skattebo (44) during training camp at the Quest Diagnostics Center on Thursday, Aug. 13, 2026, in East Rutherford, N.J. Corey Sipkin for the NY POST
Nagy, Callahan and Roman brought to the Giants a very different and more under-center system than what Dart commanded last season.
The growing pains are seen in the sacks, interceptions, pre-snap penalties and three-and-outs during 11-on-11 practice periods.
Only about half of the offense has been installed, according to Nagy, who last called plays regularly as Bears head coach.
New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers (left) and offensive coordinator Matt Nagy during practice at the New York Giants training facility in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2026. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post
Chicago fielded one top 20 scoring offense from 2018-21.
“You have to decide what’s best for that player and for our offense,” Nagy said. “But at the same time, we want to also look at, schematically, where do we see this thing going? Now it gets to this point where we’re just trying to load up as much film as possible, as many plays as possible, for us to evaluate and try to see, ‘What do our players do well and how do we accentuate their strengths and make us the best team possible?’ As we create this identity of what and who we’re going to be.”
The primary thing that Harbaugh’s Giants want to be is physical on the ground.
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Offensive line coach Mike Bloomgren rejected the idea that the defensive line “generally” has gotten the better of the blockers on run plays in camp, saying, “When we do it right up front right now, we have guys that are moving people pretty well.”
The best way to make that case is for the offensive line to open holes for Tyrone Tracy Jr. and Cam Skattebo during their preseason snaps.
Just like the best way for the Giants to prove that their new offense will work is to score points with Nagy calling plays for Dart.
“He’s calling every play,” Nagy said of Dart. “He’s seeing it when he says it. He’s not just listening and memorizing it. When you can get to that point and you start seeing guys talk like this in the huddle, they’re speaking to the person, he’s there. So, he’s aced that part. Now we’ve got to get it to the part of seeing the defense and taking it to the next level.”
