Could the New York Giants have landed a better fit at quarterback than Jaxson Dart?
Probably not. Dart has been everything and more for Big Blue, instilling promise to the degree that they were able to lure a top head coach this week in John Harbaugh, and will likely become a prime destination for free agents again.
But Dart has a lot to learn still. Retired Giants great Eli Manning recently appeared on ESPN’s Get Up and said what almost everyone else in America is saying about Dart these days.
Eli Manning discussing the Giants landing John Harbaugh and his thoughts on Jaxson Dart 👀 #NYGiantspic.twitter.com/y55s30PZ2T
— New York Revival (@NewYorkRevival) January 21, 2026
“Obviously, the number one thing is he’s got to learn to be available every week,” Manning said, via NJ Advance Media. “He takes some hits. That’s just something being young and understanding that these guys are big in the NFL and the hits are a little bit bigger. You’ve got to learn when to slide, when to take the hits and do those things.”
Stay out of the blue tent is the message. If Dart can successfully do that, the sky is the limit for him. He missed two games this season with a concussion in 2025 and was evaluated for several others.
Manning did not miss a game due to injury until very late in his career. Availability was his thing. He started 210 consecutive games from 2004-2017, the third-longest starting streak by an NFL quarterback in history.
Manning went on to talk about Dart’s image and personality, which fit New York to a tee. He is almost out of Central Casting; he’s so right for the role. The Giants are in good hands.
“He’s been successful, he’s been in the league, and he knows how to handle the New York media,” Manning added. “There’s going to be no situation that’s new to him or too big for him. He’s bringing that belief that, ‘Hey, we can win here and we can do it.’ Having these young players step into that role of being leaders of this team and creating a great culture, I’m excited about the future of the Giants.”
For the first time in many years, so are Giants fans.
This article originally appeared on Giants Wire: Eli Manning’s message to Giants’ Jaxson Dart: Stay available for your team
