Last week, Jaxson Dart spent time with another legendary Ole Miss quarterback. No, not two-time Super Bowl MVP Eli Manning, but his father, Archie.
Manning, who was drafted No. 2 overall by the Saints in 1971, offered glowing praise for the former Rebel star who became the latest Ole Miss signal-caller to hear his name called in the first round of the NFL Draft..
“I was excited for Jaxson to be drafted in the first round, particularly to the New York Giants,” Manning said while addressing the media at the Manning Passing Academy. “I was with Jaxson last week up in New York, and he’s a good guy, good player. He’s very smart.”
“I was excited for Jaxson to be drafted in the first round, particularly to the New York Giants.”
— Matt DeGregorio (@Matt_DeGregorio) June 28, 2025
Ole Miss legend Archie Manning spent time with Jaxson Dart in New York last week after Dart joined Archie and Eli Manning as the only Rebel QBs to ever be drafted in the 1st round: pic.twitter.com/EGJKNMwwfT
The symmetry between Dart and the Manning legacy extends from Oxford to East Rutherford
The former Ole Miss standout threw for nearly 4,300 yards and accounted for 32 touchdowns in his final season in Oxford. Dart rose draft boards during the pre-draft process due to his strong physical tools, leadership, and toughness.
Brian Daboll liked him enough to trade up to No. 25 for him, a bold move in a season that could dictate his job security. But the USC transfer has known the Mannings since he joined Ole Miss, and has even attended the MPA before.
The 22-year-old now holds the school record for passing yards, with his 10,617 yards stealing the record from another Rebel-turned-Giant: Eli Manning.
Archie Manning wants to see Jaxson Dart sit this season
While Archie believes Dart has what it takes to succeed in the NFL, he emphasized the importance of giving the young quarterback time to develop.
“It’d probably serve him well not to get thrown in right away, he said. “The Giants aren’t world-beaters right now, but any indication of what kind of person he was, the way he worked and played at Ole Miss, I think he can be successful.”
Manning’s comments can also refer to the lack of desperation for Big Blue. The Giants signed Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston with the intent of redshirting the First Team All-SEC quarterback as a rookie.
It’s a calculated decision– and a smart one. History shows that rookie quarterbacks often struggle when thrown into the fire too quickly compared to players who are given time to adjust to the NFL level.
Even Archie’s other son, Peyton, led the NFL in interceptions in his rookie season, while Troy Aikman went 0-11 as a starter in his first year in the pros. They both went on to become Hall of Famers, but their early struggles highlight how difficult the transition can be.
Having an actual developmental plan led to both Patrick Mahomes and Lamar Jackson becoming multiple-time MVPs. Not saying that Dart will become like any of these guys, but the point remains: patience is a virtue, especially at the quarterback position.
But still having an endorsement from not one, but two Manning quarterbacks bodes well for what Dart can accomplish in New York. But Daniel Jones had a relationship with them, too, so here’s hoping this isn’t a repeat of that experiment.