Mike Vrabel Had Blunt Message After Patriots' Massive Hit on Jaxson Dart

Karl Rasmussen | Dec 1, 2025

Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel discussed the hit on Giants QB Jaxson Dart during Monday’s game. / David Butler II-Imagn Images

Patriots defenders held nothing back when going after Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart on Monday.

During the first half, Dart attempted to tip toe the sideline in order to pick up an extra yard or two while scrambling to his right. His reward for staying in bounds was a vicious hit from Christian Elliss that sent him flying. It was a hard, but totally legal hit, as New England’s linebacker made sure to give Dart proper punishment for not getting out of bounds earlier.

After the game, Mike Vrabel was asked about that hit on Dart, and he said it serves as a reminder to all quarterbacks, including Patriots QB Drake Maye, that getting “cute” along the sideline isn’t advisable.

“It’s a weekly reminder to the quarterback, our quarterback, I wouldn’t get too cute over there by the sidelines,” Vrabel said, via Mark Daniels of MassLive.

Players had to be separated after Patriots LB Christian Elliss hit Jaxson Dart along the sideline. pic.twitter.com/wZPTVasGSw

— ESPN (@espn) December 2, 2025

One of the main criticisms of Dart’s game has been that he doesn’t look to avoid big hits. As a young quarterback, he’ll have a hard time maintaining a long career if he keeps taking shots like that. It’s advice that’s been repeated to him throughout the season, yet he continues to lean into tackles, rather than duck out of harm’s way.

Vrabel, along with everyone else on the field, saw just how hard the Giants quarterback got hit on the sideline, and he’s certainly hoping it’ll serve as a reminder to Maye that getting out of bounds and not getting flattened is favorable to picking up one or two extra yards.

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