If ownership decides to part ways with Eli, then they have to show Giants fans they have a plan–a heck of a plan–to enable the team to become contenders again.
What happens after this season with the New York Giants and Eli Manning? Those are two separate questions.
Those were the days! Iphoto, NY Post)
It’s a tricky situation, no matter how you look at it. Eli is still under contract through the 2019 season. One more year with #10 under center may not sound so terrible (the Giants are far from being genuine contenders). However, when you’re a New York sports fan, next year isn’t good enough.
Giants fans are tired of seeing Eli play quarterback. Yes, the man has two Super Bowl MVP awards and gave Big Blue fans a thrill beating the Patriots in the title match in 2007 and, again, in 2011. Those are tremendous accomplishments, but there’s also the matter of what have you done for me lately? Since 2012, Eli Manning has played poorly, to mediocre, at best.
We don’t want to see Eli Manning become the Marvin Lewis of quarterbacks. What are the options for the Giants franchise quarterback?
The organization could flat-out cut Manning and save millions of dollars on their base salary, although the team salary cap would take a hit. However, the loss wouldn’t be nearly as much money as it would if NYG were to hold on to their 2004 first round draft pick. As mediocre as Eli has played, I highly doubt the team believes the future of the franchise lies in a backup or third string quarterbacks–meaning Alex Tanney or Kyle Lauletta.
If that’s the case, then the organization will have to find a quarterback via free agency, acquire a player by trade, or find one in the 2019 NFL draft. The upcoming draft is not known to be quarterback-friendly (talent evaluators aren’t ranking any of those available as top 10 prospects). So the Giants will likely be making a selection within the top 10 picks. The question then will be if the team deems one of these guys worthy of becoming the new Big Blue franchise quarterback.
The better QBs in the ’19 Draft are Will Grier (West Virginia), Dwayne Haskins (Ohio State), Justin Herbert (Oregon), Drew Lock (Missouri), and Ryan Finley (N.C. State).
The Giants could even keep Eli to mentor a new QB–perhaps allowing the two-time Super Bowl champ to start the season as the rookie watches and learns.
The other route would be to look for a quarterback who’s hitting the free-agent market or, perhaps, the Giants could pull off a trade. The 2019 NFL quarterback free agents worthy of note are Teddy Bridgewater, Tyrod Taylor, and Josh McCown. None in that group is appealing, although I’d like to see Bridgewater get a chance somewhere.
Will Aaron finish his career in Green Bay? (photo, UPI)
Other than just riding it out with Eli, the G-Men do have a phone … meaning they can call 31 other teams to see about the availability of quarterbacks.
How about Aaron Rodgers! Yes, Rodgers just signed a monster contract with the Packers (and deservedly so), but the $134 million he’s collecting doesn’t allow the team to sign high-priced players. Rodgers and head coach Mike McCarthy have been butting heads, so…. I know, it’s doubtful that management would choose McCarthy over one of the best QBs of all time but, financially, it does make a ton of sense.
Another quarterback with a huge contract is Matt Stafford. The Lions haven’t been able to do anything with Stafford behind center and (truth be known) aren’t likely to ever do anything with him in the tough NFC North. Stafford has all the tools and a monster arm that OBJ would love. Maybe the Giants could work out a deal with the Lions.
Then there’s that guy in Tampa Bay. I never thought Jameis Winston would amount to much in the NFL, but he was drafted #1 overall a few years ago for a reason. Maybe Winston needs a change of scenery. With the Tampa Bay Bucs apparently on edge with their QB, it’s not out of the realm of possibility that Jameis Winston could be playing ball in colder temperatures.
To be clear, if you think I forgot about Sam Bradford, you’d be mistaken. It’s my opinion, that man has no business being a starting quarterback in the NFL.
So, all in all, the Giants do have options. And whatever they do it will be a decision that will affect the franchise for years to come. If ownership decides to part ways with Eli, then they’ll have to show Giants fans that they have a plan–a heck of a plan, too–to enable the team to become contenders again.
