Legendary sports agent Leigh Steinberg advised the New York Giants to focus on the long-term interests of quarterback Jaxson Dart following his season-ending knee injury. Steinberg told OutKick that the 23-year-old's future is best served by securing the best medical care and dedicating full energy to rehabilitation. The Giants' promising starter underwent meniscus surgery on Friday, two days after head coach John Harbaugh confirmed Dart would not return for the regular season.
The injury occurred during the Giants' 28-6 Week 2 loss to the Los Angeles Rams on Monday. Dart was hit by two defenders, with one Rams edge rusher striking his knee at an awkward angle. The play ended Dart's season and cast a shadow over the franchise's outlook. He will now spend his days rehabbing with trainers rather than playing on the field.
Steinberg expressed confidence in Dart's ability to recover, noting that athletes possess a remarkable capacity to bounce back. He emphasized that Dart's long and illustrious career depends on proper recovery rather than immediate return. The agent suggested that the wave of quarterback injuries in the first two weeks of the season might be linked to changes in offseason training. He questioned whether the lack of offseason hitting and reduced playing time in training camp leaves starters in good physical shape but not yet ready for football contact, making them more susceptible to injury.
Steinberg cited Sam Darnold, Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels, and Kyler Murray as other quarterbacks who have dealt with injuries early in the season. He stressed the difficulty of acquiring quality backup quarterbacks during the season due to salary cap constraints. According to Steinberg, aside from elevating players from practice squads, there is no ready availability of high-quality quarterbacks on the market.
The Giants are counting on Jameis Winston to step in as the starter for the remainder of the season. Winston struggled during Monday night's game but is known for his daring style of play. The team hopes he can avoid the interceptions that have plagued his career and keep New York in contention for a playoff spot.
Inducted into the California Sports Hall of Fame in 2017, Steinberg has represented a roster of high-profile athletes across football and baseball. His client list spans multiple eras of both sports, including legends such as Steve Young, Troy Aikman, Ben Roethlisberger, Howie Long, and Dusty Baker.