The New York Giants are entering a new era in 2026, with a new level of league-wide respect they haven’t really had since Tom Coughlin was the head coach.
John Harbaugh, one of the most respected head coaches in the game, is in charge of the franchise. This means several things.
For starters, he’ll be changing the identity of the Giants from the get-go. With all of New York’s offseason moves, it’s clear there’s going to be an emphasis on running the football. Just ask fullback Patrick Ricard why he was brought over from the Baltimore Ravens.
On defense, the Giants will be playing with an edge they haven’t had in a long time, even with the departure of defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence right before the draft.
Second-year quarterback Jaxson Dart will be taking a more vocal role with the Giants locker room as a leader, and he’ll be parroting Harbaugh’s values to the rest of the team.
Jaxson Dart on What John Harbaugh Brings to the Giants
Speaking with ESPN’s Jordan Raanan at the United Way New York City Gridiron Gala, Dart revealed his expectations for the New York Giants offense in 2026.
“I think that we’re very versatile. I think it starts there. And the other thing is, I just can’t wait for all my boys to be back healthy,” Dart told Raanan.
“I’m excited for the pieces that we brought in, they’re gonna help us a ton, and we’re going to be a physical, violent team. That goes for the offensive side of the ball, defensive side of the ball, and special teams. I can’t wait to get out there.”
The Giants’ offense, when healthy, has the chance to be incredibly dangerous.
New York lost key pieces throughout the 2025 campaign last year, most notably, wide receiver Malik Nabers and running back Cam Skattebo.
In four games last season, Nabers hauled in 18 receptions for 271 yards and two touchdowns. Over a 17-game pace, he would’ve been good for 76 catches for 1,151 yards and eight scores.
Skattebo, on the other hand, accounted for just over 600 scrimmage yards and seven touchdowns in eight games played. That’s a lot of offense the Giants were missing from two players alone.
With both of those guys back in the fold, Dart will have plenty of weaponry to work with offensively.
John Harbaugh’s Violence and Physicality Mindset
Raanan followed up his initial question about the New York Giants’ offense by asking Dart to expand on the way Harbaugh is asking his guys to play this upcoming season.
Dart explained that the new head coach wants his guys to play a certain way, in all three phases of the game, and that it’s all the Giants players hear when they’re at the team facility.
“That’s what we hear every single day from him, so that’s the style he wants us to play at,” Dart continued.
He also expects the #Giants to be a “physical, violent team” on the field. That’s the message they’re receiving from John Harbaugh every day.
“He has the right guys here for it, and I just think that what he wants to do is what everybody on this team wants to be about. We’re hungry to win, and I couldn’t think of a better coach to play for.”
We’ll see if the Giants can practice what Harbaugh preaches, and that will determine how fast this franchise turns things around.
Jaxson Dart Reveals John Harbaugh’s ‘Violent’ & ‘Physical’ Message to Giants