Tag: Eli

The Giants need to find a quarterback.

If the best one in franchise history is asked, he will help in the search. 

“I like watching film,’’ Eli Manning said Thursday. “If that’s something I’m wanted for, needed for, be happy to look at film and get involved in that part of it.’’

Yes, Manning remains tied to the team he lined up for at quarterback for 16 years and led to two Super Bowl triumphs in what is loosely described as a “business operations and fan engagement’’ role.

No, he does not delve into evaluating players or scouting or mentoring.

But he knows more about the position than most, and it would be wise for general manager Joe Schoen and head coach Brian Daboll to, at the very least, run some ideas through one of the sharpest players to ever don a Giants uniform. 

Every now and then, there is an inquiry. 

“Yes, I mean a little bit, just over the years, just guys I’ve been around, whether it’s Jaxson Dart of Ole Miss or quarterbacks over the years who have been to the Manning Passing Academy,’’ Manning said. “Just what kind of person they are, kind of more off-the-field stuff than maybe on the field.’’ 

The Giants own the No. 3 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft and if Cam Ward or Shedeur Sanders is on the board, it will be difficult for the Giants to pass either of them up considering they have one quarterback under contract (exclusive rights free agent Tommy DeVito) for next season.

There is a glaring need for a starting quarterback, whether that player arrives via free agency or, preferably, in the draft. 

This situation arose for the Giants in 2004 when they swung a mega-deal to acquire Manning, who had been the No. 1 overall pick that year by the Chargers.

How he fared as an NFL novice came up when Manning was in Manhattan to commemorate the one-year anniversary of Ten, a guide dog named for Manning, being paired with Thomas Panek, the CEO and President of Guiding Eyes for the Blind.

Panek said he goes on marathon runs together with Ten, a soon-to-be 3-year-old yellow Labrador retriever. 

“He’s looking less like a rookie and he’s been doing a really great job,’’ Panek said. “He’s definitely growing into his number. Doesn’t have 16 seasons ahead of him yet but Season 1 was a real success.’’ 

Manning, beaming nearby, added, “I bet he had a better rookie season than I did.’’ 

No one knows better than Manning what it takes to survive as a young quarterback in the New York/New Jersey market.

When he finally got the call to start, Manning lost his first six starts — many in woeful fashion — before notching his first NFL victory, in the season finale. 

“It’s not an easy situation,’’ Manning said. “A lot of pressure, a lot of expectations and being in New York, really being around the NFL, they expect immediate results, which is not easy to do, in any market playing the quarterback position. It will be interesting to see what route they take and who they get to play quarterback next year for the Giants. Hopefully they can get someone to make a difference. Because you see it this year, when you get a young quarterback playing at a high level, they can make a big difference for an organization.’’ 

Manning clearly was referring to Jayden Daniels, the electric first-year quarterback who has the Commanders in Sunday’s NFC Championship game against the Eagles. 

“Hopefully, with their system they’ll get a guy who can pick it up quickly and put him in the right situation to make plays,’’ Manning said. “I feel they have some playmakers with [Malik] Nabers and [Tyrone] Tracy and some young guys. When you get those young guys on that first rookie contract that are a big part of the offense on the team, that can make a big difference.’’ 

As a former star at Ole Miss, Manning has a natural affinity for Dart, who is likely the No. 3 or 4 quarterback on many draft boards. 

“I like Jaxson Dart,’’ Manning said. “I’ve probably watched him more than anybody, just from watching Ole Miss games. I’ve been around him and [he’s] been a great kid, been in the same offense for three years and been successful. Seen him grow and progress and seems to be able to make all the throws.’’ 

Whoever it ends up being, he will be needed sooner rather than later. 

“Can they process quickly, can they come in and learn this offense and the NFL schemes to be able to be effective as a young quarterback?’’ Manning said. “I think that’s the difference. You’re not sitting there saying ‘Hey, this guy is gonna be the best quarterback in five years.’ You want a guy who’s gonna develop quickly and be effective in the first two years.’’ 

That happened with Manning.

By his second season, he was helping the Giants to a record of 11-5 and a playoff berth.

But, it is painfully obvious that replacing Manning is not an easy assignment for the Giants to complete.