New York Giants' controversial decision to pick Jaxson Dart looks even better following recent Arch Manning news originally appeared on A to Z Sports.
Since New York Giants fans became aware of Arch Manning, many have wanted nothing more than for him to suit up for the GMen.
Of course, his uncle Eli Manning was integral to the Giants' winning their last two Super Bowls. Despite the franchise falling on hard times, recapturing that excitement seemed possible when the younger Manning burst onto the scene as a top quarterback recruit.
Manning hasn't even started a full season at Texas, but many analysts and fans have spent the whole summer projecting him as the eventual first overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. If he were to declare, he likely wouldn't be on the Giants' radar because they selected Jaxson Dart 25th overall in the first round. That created the possibility of Giants fans watching Manning under center for a different franchise next season.
According to his grandfather, Archie Manning, also a former NFL quarterback, he won't be declaring for the NFL Draft anytime soon. When speaking to Texas Monthly about the matter, he curtly stated, "Arch isn't going to do that. He'll be at Texas."
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Fans of teams needing a quarterback have wished that Arch would declare for the 2026 Draft if he had a dominant 2025 season. That speculation didn't make much sense, considering Manning opted to stay at Texas and not transfer for his sophomore year when Quinn Ewers returned in 2024.
However, with Manning's grandfather finally squashing the rumors of when he'll declare, it presents an intriguing future for the Giants.
For right now, the Giants have their quarterback situation figured out. They don't need to look ahead at future quarterback prospects if Dart develops the way the coaching staff and front office project that he will.
If Dart starts a handful of games at the end of the 2025 season and generates a few exciting moments, it will be clear they have their guy to build around. That could even be enough to buy time for head coach Brian Daboll and General Manager Joe Schoen for the foreseeable future.
Dart doesn't even need to do anything crazy. If he had a similar finish as what Michael Penix did for the Falcons in 2024, it would be enough to inspire faith that the franchise is on the right path. In five games and three starts last year, Penix threw for 775 yards, three touchdowns, three interceptions, and completed only 58.1% of his passes. Those stats don't light the league on fire, but his late-game heroics against the Washington Commanders and victory over the Giants shaped an optimistic outlook for their future.
However, if Dart struggles, there is an alternative reality in which the Giants could still end up with Manning. If Dart finishes 2025 with more questions than answers and starts most of the 2026 season with no real improvement, then the Giants can move on.
In this reality, the Giants would have a new coaching staff and front office that are not tied to Dart. They'd also likely be picking early enough to select Manning when he declares in 2027 as a senior.
Ultimately, the Manning news is fantastic for simply establishing the potential paths for the Giants' return to sustained success. One path ends with Dart, and another could end with Manning.