Assuming the New York Giants are bringing Eli Manning back for the 2019 season, his roles will include winning and guiding his future replacement.
Before getting into the heart of the matter, it should be noted that nobody knows, for sure, that New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning is definitely returning for the 2019 NFL season. With that said, ESPN’s Jordan Raanan reported earlier this month Manning has been working out in the team’s facility throughout the offseason. Moreover, Ranaan also reported head coach Pat Shurmur’s comments from the NFL Combine, which stated that Manning will be “back.”
Those who listened to Manning’s weekly radio spots with WFAN personality Mike Francesa last fall are aware that the 38-year old does see the writing on the wall. The greatest signal-caller in franchise history is on the last year of his contract, and any reworking of that deal to free salary cap space for the upcoming season won’t guarantee him playing time in 2020. This will be Manning’s final season wearing a Big Blue jersey.
The topic of how those running the Giants should approach picking Manning’s successor has been debated since late 2017 when then-head coach Ben McAdoo benched the two-time Super Bowl MVP in favor of Geno Smith, a decision that cost McAdoo his job.
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Rather than take a quarterback with the second pick of the 2018 NFL Draft, the Giants drafted running back Saquon Barkley, who was better than advertised, but still not good enough to quiet discussions about if the team should have selected Sam Darnold instead of the Offensive Rookie of the Year ball-carrier.
Unless the Giants spark the end of the Manning Era by acquiring Nick Foles or making a major splash and trading for Russell Wilson (Not happening. Sorry, Giants fans), the club using a first-round pick on a quarterback this time around seems inevitable. No disrespect meant to Kyle Lauletta, but the mid-round pick who didn’t look the part during his debut preseason may not even be in the quarterback room come September.
Whoever the Giants draft — we’ll say it’s Dwayne Haskins since he’s the flavor of the month among fans — he will begin his career second on the depth chart behind Manning. Unless that to-be first-year pro dazzles head coach Pat Shurmur to the point that the young man makes the decision easy, no real quarterback competition is expected. Manning will be QB1 for Week 1 if he’s healthy.
As the previously mentioned Raanan wrote in February 2018, Manning did not appear keen on serving as a mentor for somebody who could take his job as of that time:
"“It’s not your job to mentor somebody, but I wouldn’t look at it as that role,” Manning said. “I would look at it as it’s my job to prepare and compete and be ready to play each and every game. In that process, you’re always talking football, helping out the other guys in the room, whether it’s Davis Webb this year or Geno or guys over the years. You always have back and forth. You’re always helping them out. Nothing changes.”"
Those comments aside, it was no secret Manning routinely worked with Webb during weekdays. That didn’t change after Manning was relegated to QB2 by McAdoo. Some may question what Manning has left in the tank, but nobody can discount what he can and will offer to a rookie learning the pro game from the sidelines. Manning’s football IQ remains off the charts, and few around the league have been through the highs and lows he’s experienced since 2004.
Darnold had Josh McCown. Patrick Mahomes had Alex Smith. Baker Mayfield spoke of how important Drew Stanton was for his development on multiple occasions last fall. Manning will want to start, as would any competitor, but it’s what he’ll do behind the scenes when fans aren’t around that could help set the Giants up for success during the 2020s when he is a spectator.
Some point to Manning’s salary cap hit as a reason for why the Giants should move on before March. That number is high, of course, but it’s actually quite reasonable for a starting quarterback with Manning’s resume. As for what he’ll teach a rookie, one can’t place a value on that knowledge. Manning may be a bargain if the team’s next starting quarterback follows in his footsteps and guides the club to Super Bowl glory.