Brian Daboll needed Jaxson Dart to deliver, not just to win a game, but maybe to save his job. The New York Giants‘ head coach has been sitting on the hot seat since Week 1, and for a brief stretch, it actually felt like Dart might cool things off, especially after that Week 6 win over the Philadelphia Eagles.

But fast forward through three straight losses, add Malik Nabers and Cam Skattebo both going down for the year, and the vibe’s flipped completely. It’s starting to feel less like a tough stretch and more like a locker room that’s slipping out of Daboll’s hands. And amidst all the chaos, Skattebo’s action just added fuel to the fire.

Not so long ago, a reel went viral on Instagram, liked by the rookie running back, where a Giants supporter was screaming, “I hate Darius Slayton.” That person’s frustration was totally understandable. After all, the clip showed Slayton dropping a pass from Dart in the end zone.

The Giants were trailing 34-17 against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 9 late in the fourth quarter, with just less than a couple of minutes remaining before the final whistle. Dart hit Slayton in the end zone on what looked like a clean touchdown opportunity. However, the Giants’ wide receiver bobbled it and couldn’t secure the catch.

In a what-if world, if Slayton had caught the pass, the Giants would have cut a 17-point deficit against the Niners. But coming back to reality, the New York team dropped the game 34-24 and now sits at 2-7 heading into Week 10. But one thing seems clear: Brian Daboll actually seems to be losing the locker room.

Jaxson Dart’s comments highlight that Brian Daboll is under pressure

“I understand the question, but I’m going to give the answer that I truly feel that I can only control what I can control,” Dart said when asked if he feels pressure to win more games, given that Daboll’s seat is getting hotter. “I don’t want to look at things that way. I just want to live in the moment that I have. I want to take advantage of the opportunities that I have. As a team, we should be thinking the same way.”

Dart has been efficient through his first six NFL starts. The rookie quarterback has racked up 10 passing touchdowns and five more on the ground. On top of that, the Giants’ offense is averaging 21.9 points per game. It’s a noticeable jump from last season’s 16.1.

But despite Dart’s standout performance, the Giants still can’t turn effort into wins. The team sits at 5-21 over the last two seasons and hasn’t had a winning record since 2022. That kind of stretch puts any head coach on thin ice. And for Brian Daboll, it’s even more glaring considering his overall record of 20-38-1, with just one postseason win to show for it.

The front office can see the rookie quarterback playing well, but the results haven’t followed. That’s the kind of math that usually doesn’t add up in a coach’s favor.

“We have a chance to win every game that we have on our schedule. That’s how I feel,” Dart added. “We’ve got to find a way as players, the guys who are out there on the field, to make enough plays to win the game. That’s kind of how I view things. The coaches call the plays, but a play can technically go against any defense, any coverage, whatever it is. Same thing goes for the defensive side. As players, we’ve got to be better. [The coaches] aren’t the ones out there on the field. We are. I think us as a team need to be better that way.”

That said, Dart’s comments might sound measured, but they quietly underline the growing tension in New York. The rookie is doing his part, yet the team’s losing. Naturally, that spotlight shifts toward the man in charge. And right now, it’s Brian Daboll.