Former New York Giants star wide receiver Victor Cruz has it all figured out. The Giants’ quandary at the quarterback position has a straightforward solution — sign Sam Darnold once free agency begins and then draft Arch Manning next season to walk in his uncle Eli’s footsteps.
Victor Cruz Wants To See Sam Darnold Under Center in 2025, Arch Manning in 2026
“I think he’s the perfect QB to go get,” said Cruz about Darnold in a one-on-one interview with RG while speaking on behalf of his partnership with Finish Ultimate. “You obviously have to pay him a little bit, but I think from a cap perspective, we can afford him. I think he could come in and then Arch Manning comes in (in 2026). He doesn’t necessarily have to start right away, he can learn from a guy like Sam Darnold.”
All Darnold did this season was lead the Minnesota Vikings to 14 wins and a playoff appearance. He was signed as a free agent from the San Francisco 49ers for the low price of $10 million for one season, brought in to serve as a mentor to J.J. McCarthy, who ended up getting injured in the preseason and missed the entire 2024 campaign.
There is no reason why Darnold cannot do the same in New York.
“Sam Darnold is an exceptional quarterback to learn from,” Cruz detailed. “Been through the gamut around the NFL, had successes and ups and downs. Has played in New York before and understands what it’s like to succeed and not succeed in a city like New York. He’s also seasoned now, so he can come in and make your team competitive and respectable because he understands how to play the game.”
Darnold is also no stranger to playing in New York. He was an original first-round draft choice of the New York Jets. He never had a good team to play with during the Jets years, and it took him several stops to mature and grow as a quarterback. He is ready once again to try and tackle the Big Apple.
“He understands what it’s like to play in New York,” says Cruz. “He understands that he’s going to have bad games, but he’s going to power through it. I think he’ll be a great guy for someone like Arch to learn behind and really understand what it takes to be a professional in this league.”
As for Manning, Cruz believes he can learn from Darnold, but he also has two other family members who can give him tutelage as well.
“He also has his two uncles to learn from [Eli and Peyton] as well.”