“Looks like deer in the headlights”: Boomer Esiason serves reality check to Jaxson Dart after Giants QB’s “pathetic” outing in 16-13 loss vs. Vikings

New York Giants v New England Patriots - NFL 2025 - Source: Getty

Jaxson Dart looked out of character during the Giants’ 16-13 loss to the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday. The rookie quarterback put up his worst performance of the year, completing just seven of 13 passes for 33 yards and an interception.

After the game, former NFL quarterback turned analyst Boomer Esiason did not mince his words in his criticism of Jaxson Dart. He called his performance “pathetic” and highlighted how he struggled to get anything going on the offense.

“You know, maybe they are afraid to run him (Dart),” Esiason said on the “Boomer and Gio” podcast. “Everybody saying you might as well sit him. Don’t run him. Don’t let him run cause he’s gonna get another concussion. I mean that was about a pathetic of a performance as you’re gonna see in the NFL from a quarterback, and his lack of opportunities, and some dropped passes. … This is now where Jaxson Dart learns that the NFL is a relentless place. And ittakes while for rookies to really get a grasp of what that means.”

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Esiason compared the Giants’ offensive performance to that of the Jets, who are ranked No.29 in terms of total offense this year, averaging 275.5 yards and 28 touchdowns.

“That performance yesterday offensively, you know, that was Jet-esque, when you think about it. And you’re supposed to have a quarterback that you believe in and moving forward in the future. But, you know, he really struggled, they struggled, … it just looked like he was all over the place. Mike Kafka, when you quarterback looks like a deer in the headlights, has gotta, kinda work through a game plan that you try to win the game.”

Since Brian Daboll’s firing, Jaxson Dart’s performance has seen some regression. He is struggling to utilize his dual-threat abilities and make running plays with the ball. In the past three games, the quarterback has scored just three touchdowns with no rushing scores.


Jaxson Dart shares his unfiltered take after disappointing loss to the Vikings

In the postgame press conference, the rookie quarterback did not sugarcoat his team’s ninth-straight loss of the season.

Dart also said that this was the first time he’s experienced something like this.

“It’s just a new experience that I’ve never been through before,” Dart said. “It doesn’t make it any easier than what it is. Just trying to do your best to stay positive as much as you can. You know, there is this quick turnaround each week.

“So, I feel like the time is where, you know, you hang onto a loss too long, it goes into your next game in prep. So, that’s kind of just the mentality and the process that we’re trying to have.”

The Giants next face the Patriots on Sunday at 1 p.m. ET.

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