Since Eli Manning’s retirement, the New York Giants have a record of 32-67-1 in six seasons, with just one playoff appearance. The franchise finished with a disappointing record of 3-14 this past season and also parted ways with Daniel Jones, who they drafted as Manning’s successor.
The Giants have the third overall selection in the 2025 NFL Draft and are expected to draft a new quarterback. However, Manning thinks the team should rather sign a veteran to play at the position.
Eli Manning Discusses the Giants’ Quarterback Situation
In a conversation on NBC’s “Pro Football Talk,” Manning discussed how getting a veteran quarterback is better for the team. The two-time Super Bowl winner also highlighted the importance of the pressure that comes while playing in a city like New York, which is not ideal for a rookie.
“It’s a tough call, and obviously they’re looking into it,” Manning said. “I guess my first sense is to get a veteran to come in there, it’s just it’s hard for a rookie to come into New York and be thrown into that spotlight and succeed… What is hard to do most likely is [if] you’re not going to come in and win your first five games, you just get hounded, and it takes a little while to get used to that to get your nerves down to understand just the magnitude of everything going on.”
“You really want a guy, once he starts playing, to be comfortable,” Manning continued. “To know the offense and set him up for success instead of going through the learning curve of making every mistake look bad.”
The Giants have been linked with Cam Ward and Shedeur Sanders, the two best quarterbacks in the upcoming draft class. However, both players could be selected before the NFC East team gets the chance to use their pick.
Since general manager Joe Schoen and head coach Brian Daboll could lose their jobs if the team doesn’t play well next season, the Giants will be aggressive if they fail to draft a quarterback.
Drafting a quarterback will be better for the team’s future, but neither Ward nor Sanders are viewed as generational prospects. So, the franchise can just hope the player they draft becomes a serviceable quarterback in the NFL, which is why the option to get a veteran player is a viable one.
A player like Matthew Stafford could be available for the Giants if the Los Angeles Rams continue to move on from veteran players like they have decided to do with Cooper Kupp. Apart from the Rams star, Kirk Cousins, Sam Darnold, and potentially Aaron Rodgers will be the three best options for the Giants in the free agency.
Manning Was Not Selected for the Pro Football Hall of Fame
Many expected Manning to be a first-ballot Hall of Famer. Unfortunately, the Giants legend was not selected for the Pro Football Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility. Only four players were selected this year: Eric Allen, Jared Allen, Antonio Gates, and Sterling Sharpe.
Despite his snub, Manning is at “peace” with the voters’ decision not to induct him into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The 44-year-old played 16 seasons in the league, won two Super Bowls, and made the Pro Bowl twice during his career while throwing for 57,023 yards. Manning is currently 11th in league history in passing yards.
Manning will likely get into the Hall of Fame in his second or third attempt, but due to his exclusion from the 2025 class, the Manning brothers will not become the first set of brothers to make the Hall of Fame. The Sharpe brothers, Sterling and Shannon, now have that milestone, and yesterday was a proud moment for their family.