Early signs suggest Jaxson Dart has already found his go-to Giants target

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Every young quarterback needs a reliable option, and the New York Giants might have already found one for Jaxson Dart.

Isaiah Likely, who joined the team this offseason, has quickly become Dart’s “favourite target,” according to The Athletic’s Dan Duggan. While it’s still early days – it is only June, after all – it doesn’t hurt to see the two building a connection even if it is just in training camp.

When the Giants signed Likely in free agency, they were after a real piece of the offence rather than depth. New York handed the former Baltimore Ravens tight end a three-year contract worth $40 million, a clear signal of how big a role they expect him to play moving forward.

Likely arrives with a reputation as one of the league’s most dynamic receiving tight ends. In Baltimore, he repeatedly created mismatches against linebackers and safeties while producing explosive plays after the catch. A team does not pay that kind of money for a player it plans to keep in the background, and the Giants clearly want him involved.

Why tight ends often become early go-tos for rookie quarterbacks

Tight ends have a knack for becoming a young quarterback’s safety valve. While wide receivers are usually lined up on the outside and work further downfield, tight ends tend to stick closer to the line of scrimmage. That puts them right in the middle of the field, where throws are shorter and reads are quicker. When pressure hits, having a reliable tight end can be invaluable.

That context makes the Likely-Dart pairing worth keeping an eye on. If Dart is already leaning towards Likely in practice, it might have less to do with Likely simply getting open and more with him filling that steady presence in the middle of the field.

Some Giants fans may wonder what this development means for Malik Nabers, but the answer is likely not much. Nabers remains a central figure in the offence and is expected to draw significant defensive attention every time he steps on the field.

Having Likely involved could actually benefit Nabers. When defences have to respect a tight end as a real threat, it often takes pressure off the primary wide receiver. The Giants aren’t looking for Dart to choose between Nabers and Likely—they want him to rely on both.

Why the Dart-Likely connection could matter for the Giants

The Giants brought in Likely to be a real contributor, not just another name on the roster. His three-year, $40 million deal reflects that expectation. Now, there’s early talk out of spring practices that he might be forming a strong connection with rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart.

But it’s still June, and we’re a long way from meaningful football. The glimpses reporters get during spring sessions are limited, and players are often working on specific aspects of their game rather than fully executing the playbook.

So while it’s an encouraging sign, especially for Dart’s development, it’s worth keeping things in perspective until we see how this partnership holds up once the real games begin.