Eli Manning has seen plenty of quarterbacks come and go in New York, but he probably never expected his own son to choose someone else as his favorite. During the Halloween season, the Manning family provided one of the week’s most charming NFL stories, leaving fans to wonder what it says about the Giants’ present and future.
Why Did Charlie Manning Choose Jaxson Dart Over His Own Dad?
The buzz started when Eli Manning posted a photo of his son, Charlie, dressed in a full Jaxson Dart costume for Halloween, which even included the chain the rookie quarterback is known for wearing.
Charlie said he wanted to dress up as his favorite @Giants quarterback ever for Halloween… guess he got his wish. pic.twitter.com/oQXmuIMncv
— Eli Manning (@EliManning) October 31, 2025
Later, on ESPN’s “ManningCast,” the two-time Super Bowl champion explained that Charlie loves the costume so much he asked to wear it to school every day. Manning admitted, “It hurts a little bit,” and joked that his son might have picked the outfit just to get the chain.
For his part, Jaxson Dart had a good sense of humor about the situation. When asked about Charlie’s choice, he laughed and said, “I think it’s awesome.” He also acknowledged Manning’s reaction, adding, “I think maybe, like he said, he’s a little disappointed it wasn’t him. But it’s just a cool relationship.”
Charlie’s costume choice highlights just how quickly the Giants have captured the attention of fans. After the team stumbled to a 0-3 start under veteran Russell Wilson, the Giants handed the reins to their 2025 first-round pick.
Since then, Dart has led the team to a 2-3 record, securing wins over the Chargers and Eagles. In five games as the starter, he has thrown for 984 yards and eight touchdowns while adding 195 yards and four more scores on the ground, according to earlier reports.
This lighthearted story is made even more meaningful because Manning has served as a mentor to Dart since the quarterback was drafted. The Giants legend now gets to watch his own son cheer for the young player he has been guiding behind the scenes.
However, the fun moment comes at a difficult time for the Giants. The team is looking to bounce back from a Week 8 loss to the Eagles and will now be without rookie running back Cam Skattebo, who suffered a season-ending leg and ankle injury.
Additionally, they are missing their top wideout, Malik Nabers, who is out following ACL surgery. As a result, players like Tyrone Tracy Jr. and Wan’Dale Robinson are expected to take on larger roles in the offense. When asked if he expects more kids to dress as him for Halloween next year, Dart replied, “Shoot, I hope so. I’m gonna be ready.”
When a quarterback becomes a popular Halloween costume, it is often a sign of superstar status. While Dart isn’t there yet, the reaction from fans, and especially from Manning’s own family, shows that New York may already see him as the face of the franchise’s future.
