It may have seemed like Eli Manning might’ve been upset with the Giants for selecting a quarterback to replace him soon, but he’s clearly seen enough in practice to know that this isn’t actually a competition to him.
There were indications that Jones might be able to take the starting spot right out the gate, given Manning’s struggles over the past few years.
Manning is having none of the talk.
“I mean no, I don’t feel like it’s a competition,” Manning said in an interview that will air on NFL Network’s Total Access Friday night. “I feel like I’ve got to do my job and I’ve got to compete every day and try to get better every day. That’s the way it’s been my whole life and that’s just the way I’ve always approached practice every day to improve, to earn my place on the team, to earn the respect of the teammates and do it each year.”
Manning doesn’t consider Jones competition and said he’s got no issue nurturing a rookie QB that the Giants hope will become the next franchise signal-caller.
“We’ve got new guys and I’m trying to build a relationship with them and get them up to speed and so I’m trying to do my job in the quarterback room,” Manning said. “I’ve always been good with young quarterbacks, whoever’s been in there, trying to get them up to speed, teaching them about defenses or styles or what our defense plays. So I’m doing the same thing with Daniel and I’m going to be a good teammate, I’m going to do the best that I can do and help everybody on the Giants be successful.”
Manning might not view it as a competition, but the writing is on the wall regardless. After trading away Odell Beckham Jr., the franchise is in full rebuild mode and Jones is clearly part of that rebuild whether Manning likes it or not.
