What Eli Manning really thinks of Jaxson Dart as Giants' starting quarterback
Dart led New York to a Week 1 victory over the Dallas Cowboys
J axson Dart ’s first game of the 2026 season offered the New York Giants a glimpse of what their offense could become, but Eli Manning sees another part of the quarterback’s game that must remain intact. The Giants legend praised Dart ’s growth while stressing that his aggressive style should not be coached out of him, and that balance could shape his second NFL season.
Dart completed 23 of 29 passes for 230 yards and three touchdowns while adding 54 rushing yards as New York beat the Dallas Cowboys 28-20, and his mobility was a major part of the victory. “I thought Jaxson had a good rookie season, and I think you saw his ability to make some big-time throws,” Manning said. “The number one topic everybody talks about; you’ve got to slide. You’ve got to stay healthy. “But you don’t want to lose his ability to extend plays, to make plays, to improvise, because you can get some big plays with that. That’s a huge skill set that not everybody has.” That warning became especially relevant in the opener, when Dart absorbed heavy contact while making plays outside the pocket, but Manning ’s message with the dual-threat era in mind, however, was not to remove that instinct.
Can the New York Giants make the NFL Playoffs? Manning weighs in
New York ’s decision to pair Dart with John Harbaugh has also changed the expectations around the franchise. Manning believes the new coach can help establish the winning mentality the Giants have lacked. Harbaugh opened his tenure with a divisional victory, while Dart looked comfortable directing an offense that controlled the game against Dallas . The result has given the Giants genuine reason to believe they can compete. Still, Manning knows one victory cannot define an entire season. His benchmark is simple: New York must become more reliable when games are decided late, particularly after struggling in one-score contests. “When you’ve been in a program that hasn’t won a whole lot in the last few years,” Manning added. “You’ve got to make sure the players believe they’re going to win games. “You’d love to make the playoffs this year and go win whatever that is, 11 games, and I think that’s possible. Can they win some of these close games?” Manning ’s next chance to see if Dart can drive the Giants to the NFL Playoffs will come on Monday, September 21 when New York will be back in action against the Los Angeles Rams . The Rams are one of the Super Bowl favorites and are armed to the teeth with talent on the offensive side of the ball through Matthew Stafford , Puka Nacua , Davante Adams and Kyren Williams . But a 27-7 loss to the San Francisco 49ers raised question marks on the defensive side of the ball and they will be without Myles Garrett , who has headed to the injured reserve. Aaron Donald could make his debut, however, after returning from retirement.
