Eli Manning reveals blunt request from Jaxson Dart; Manning's firm stance on being a reservations broker
Giants great says he would help the rookie quarterback but won’t book dinners for him as he charts a path behind Russell Wilson
Eli Manning revealed a surprising request from Giants rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart and the blunt response he gave. The former two-time Super Bowl winner and Ole Miss alumnus said on Peter Schrager's podcast that Dart asked him to secure a 6:30 p.m. reservation at 4 Charles Prime Rib in Manhattan. Manning said he would offer help, but not act as a reservations broker, stressing that the rookie would have to earn the right to call and book a table.
Reservations at the West Village steakhouse are highly coveted, and the restaurant has moved to curb resellers who peddle tables at inflated prices. The notes mention that 4 Charles Prime Rib has banned the selling or redistribution of reservations through apps such as Resy, illustrating the challenge of getting a coveted table even for high-profile diners.
Back in June, Manning posted a photo on Instagram with his father, Archie, and Dart, captioning it 'Hot Toddy!' and highlighting the Ole Miss connection.
Dart's standing within the Giants' depth chart remains uncertain. New York is 0-2 ahead of Sunday's game against Kansas City. Wilson played well in last week's overtime loss to the Cowboys, completing 30 of 41 passes for 450 yards and three touchdowns, according to box scores. The Giants have stressed development for Dart while continuing to lean on Wilson as the starter.
Coach Brian Daboll has said he has confidence in Wilson and that the club is developing Dart, with the rookie spending long hours at the facility and studying after practice to prepare if called upon. The approach mirrors a measured path rather than an urgent quarterback switch.
As a point of context, the notes recount Manning's own rookie-season path in 2004, when he arrived in Northern New Jersey via a draft-day trade with the Chargers for quarterback Philip Rivers and future picks. The notes describe a difficult stretch after Manning took the reins, with the team — described as a borderline playoff club — suffering a rough run that included a high turnover rate before the organization later remade around him. The comparison underscores the Giants' current timetable: patience with Wilson while evaluating Dart in a full-season frame.