Eli Manning breaks down impact of John Harbaugh hire on Jaxson Dart, New York Giants

The New York Giants are preparing for a pivotal Year 2 with quarterback Jaxson Dart. Franchise legend Eli Manning believes the timing of the organization’s latest move could not be better.

Appearing on Get Up on Wednesday, Manning weighed in on the Giants’ decision to hire John Harbaugh as their new head coach, calling it an ideal situation for both the team and its young quarterback.

“I think it’s a great situation,” Manning said. “And Jaxson Dart, I think, had a great first year. He can throw the ball on time and get it out there. He has the ability to run with his feet, scramble and make plays, and extend plays in the pocket. As a defense, that’s hard to defend. He can win a lot of different ways.”

Dart flashed that versatility during an impressive rookie campaign, quickly establishing himself as a dual-threat option capable of stressing defenses inside and outside the pocket. But as Manning pointed out, that skill set also comes with responsibility, particularly when it comes to durability at the NFL level.

“The No. 1 thing, he’s got to learn to be available every week,” Manning added. “He takes some hits. Being young and understanding, ‘Hey, these guys are big in the NFL, and the hits are a little bit bigger,’ you’ve got to learn when to slide and when to take hits.”

That’s where Manning believes Harbaugh’s presence could make a defining difference. With years of experience navigating pressure-packed environments, Harbaugh brings instant credibility, especially in New York.

“He’s been successful. He’s been in the league, he knows how to handle the New York media,” Manning explained. “There’s going to be no situation that’s new to him or too big for him. Just bringing that belief that, ‘Hey, we can win here. We can do it.’”

Manning also emphasized that Dart’s next step, protecting himself better, starts with coaching and repetition throughout the offseason: “That comes from the head coach and the offensive coordinator,” Manning added. 

“You have a whole offseason to watch clips and make adjustments. Now they say, ‘Hey, this is happening.’ You’ve taken hits. You’ve been in the protocol. You missed games.”

Moreover, Manning pointed to the balance elite quarterbacks must strike, referencing Josh Allen as an example of controlled aggressiveness.

“You want to keep that playmaking ability and just dial it down in certain situations,” Manning said. “‘It’s the first quarter, you got the first down, slide. You’re at the sideline, go out of bounds.’ Those hits add up.”

Above all, with Harbaugh now setting the tone and Dart entering his second season, Manning is optimistic about what’s ahead for the New York Giants: “Having these young players step into leadership roles and creating a great culture,” Manning stated, “I’m excited about the future of the Giants.”