Eli Manning Says He's 'on His Side' for Giants QB Jaxson Dart
The short version
- Eli Manning said he texted Jaxson Dart after a recent game and praised his command of a new offense in his second year.
- Manning said Dart knows he supports him and wants both the quarterback and the Giants to succeed.
- The relationship extends beyond football into preparation and life off the field.
- Manning's experience with New York's pressures offers Dart guidance the coaching staff cannot provide.
- Dart entered the NFL with considerable attention on his potential.
The two-time Super Bowl winner texted Dart after a recent game and says the second-year quarterback handled a heavy workload well in a new offense.
Eli Manning says he has built a genuine bond with Jaxson Dart, the second-year quarterback of the New York Giants, according to an interview with DJ Siddiqi for Ratings. The retired legend, one of the most decorated players in the franchise's history, has become a resource for Dart as the young passer settles into life with the organization.
Speaking about Dart, Manning said: "I sent him a text after the game last week, and thought he played outstanding." He added that the team asked Dart to absorb a great deal, and that the quarterback appeared to have firm command of an offense in its first year with him as a second-year player — something Manning called difficult to do.
Manning continued: "I feel like we have a good relationship, and you know, I think he knows I'm on his side and I want him to do well. I want the Giants to do well and right the ship."
Manning is uniquely positioned to guide a Giants quarterback. He lived through the scrutiny, expectations and pressure that define the job in New York, and few people understand the demands of the position within that organization as well as he does.
Dart has welcomed the relationship rather than treating Manning as merely a famous predecessor. Their conversations extend past football into preparation and life away from the game, giving the young quarterback a sounding board as he carves out his own identity with the franchise.
Dart arrived with significant hype attached to his potential, and the jump from college football to the professional ranks carries its own challenges. Access to someone steeped in the team's history and the responsibilities of the quarterback job adds another layer of support during that adjustment.
Manning's contribution is not meant to supersede the coaching staff or steer Dart's career decisions. Its value lies in lessons that practice alone cannot teach — how to respond to mistakes, manage outside expectations and stay grounded when attention intensifies.
As Dart continues adapting to the professional level, the connection with Manning could prove meaningful for his development. Manning has known both the highs and the lows of leading the Giants, and his continued presence gives Dart one more experienced voice in his corner.
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