Eli Manning will remain the starting quarterback for the New York Giants.
The Giants drafted Daniel Jones sixth overall in the 2019 draft, but he won’t be threatening the two-time Super Bowl champion’s job status anytime soon.
“At the quarterback position, we have a starter in Eli and we have guys behind him, specifically Daniel Jones, who need to do everything they can to be ready to play Week 1. That’s where we’re at,” Shurmur told the media, according to Tom Rock on Monday.
Pat Shurmur: “At the quarterback position, we have a starter in Eli and we have guys behind him, specifically Daniel Jones, who need to do everything they can to be ready to play Week 1. That’s where we’re at.”
— Tom Rock (@TomRock_Newsday) May 20, 2019
Well, there it is, folks. It’s official. In case there were any doubt for any of you, Manning will enter the 2019 season as the starting gunslinger for the Giants.
Jones might be the man of the future, but this is still Manning’s team right now as long as Shurmur is still calling the shots. (RELATED: Peyton Manning Takes Shots With Michael Phelps And Eric Church)
I’m not sure what Manning has left in the tank, but the odds of Jones being ready on day one aren’t very high. He might have looked good playing at Duke, but I hardly think that’s an indication of anything heading into the NFL.
Manning knows the offense, he’s got the fan base behind him, he’s an icon in the organization and he’s probably playing his final year in the NFL.
The Giants aren’t in a win now mode, which means they can take some time developing Jones.
Let Manning go out there and spin it one last time for 16 games and then hand control over to Jones once he’s ready to go.
Unless you’re trying to win immediately or don’t have a better option on the table, there’s virtually no point in rushing a rookie quarterback to start.