Manning reveals Dart's restaurant request was not part of mentorship deal
Eli Manning says his open-line offer to Jaxson Dart did not include acting as a reservations agent after the rookie asked for a five-star dining booking.
Eli Manning disclosed a surprising request from Jaxson Dart that he said was not part of their mentorship arrangement. Manning told Fox News’ Peter Schrager that he offered Dart an open line for guidance on anything—from football questions to life decisions.
During training camp, Dart called with an unusual ask: a dinner reservation at a five-star restaurant, specifically 4 Charles, for 6:30 p.m. Manning described the request as outside the deal and said he would not serve as a reservations agent; mentorship, he said, must be earned.
Dart is currently the New York Giants' second-string quarterback behind Russell Wilson, and he has appeared in a handful of run-pass-option plays in a preseason game against the Dallas Cowboys.
It remains unclear when Dart will claim the starting job. By comparison, Manning’s ascent to starter came in 2004 when he replaced Kurt Warner in midseason at 5-4. Manning lost his first six starts before finishing the year with a victory.
The Giants are 0-2 and will host the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday night.
Both Manning and Dart attended Ole Miss, a link that underscores the shared college connection between the veteran and the rookie. The notes indicate the Giants traded back into the first round to select Dart at No. 25, continuing the club’s recent emphasis on players tied to Ole Miss in the post-Manning era.
