Jaxson Dart just received the ultimate endorsement. With organized team activities (OTAs) wrapped and the regular season fast approaching, legendary quarterback Archie Manning offered some unexpected praise for the New York Giants rookie and fellow Ole Miss alum.
At this point, the Manning name is football royalty. Peyton and Eli each own two Super Bowl rings, and their nephew Arch is widely projected to be the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. But none of that dynasty would exist without the man who started it all: Archie Manning.
The Manning patriarch is a legend in his own right-not just in the NFL but also with the Ole Miss Rebels. A Second Team All-American in 1969, two-time First Team All-SEC selection, and member of the Ole Miss Team of the Century, Archie’s endorsement carries serious weight. And this week, he placed his faith firmly in Dart’s future.
Dart impresses the original Manning
According to reports, Manning had an informal meeting with Dart last week in New York. Beyond just knowing NFL life, Archie has insider knowledge of the Giants organization-his son Eli spent his entire pro career there.
“Jaxson played a lot of football at Ole Miss, a lot of good football, won a lot of games,” Manning recalled. “I was just excited for him to be drafted in the first round-and particularly by the New York Giants, who, you know, we like the Giants.”
But the New Orleans Saints legend went beyond polite praise. He gave Dart a full-throated endorsement. “He’s a good guy, a good player,” Manning said. “He’s very smart, and it probably served him well not to be thrown in right away. The Giants aren’t a world-beater right now.”
Despite the team’s current state, Archie expressed optimism about Dart’s trajectory: “If his character and work ethic at Ole Miss are any indication, I think he can be successful.” Coming from Archie Manning, that’s not just praise-it’s prophecy.
Dart vs. Wilson: A QB showdown looms
Manning isn’t the only one betting on Dart. NFL Network analyst Daniel Jeremiah recently predicted the rookie won’t be sitting for long behind veteran Russell Wilson.
“I think he’s got a chance to play pretty darn early,” Jeremiah said on The Rich Eisen Show. According to the analyst, buzz around Dart’s performance in OTAs has been overwhelmingly positive. All signs point to head coach Brian Daboll preparing to unleash his rookie sooner rather than later.
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