EAST RUTHERFORD, N. J., Jan. 10 (UPI) — Usually when a team is looking for a quarterback, it doesn’t have a four-time Pro Bowl selection and two-time Super Bowl champ in its back pocket.
But New York Giants general manager Jerry Reese was very blunt when talking about quarterback Eli Manning Monday, following the team’s season-ending loss to the Green Bay Packers .
«Of course. Everybody has a job,» Reese told reporters. «Eli has a job to do and everyone around him has a job to do. 36, I don’t think that is ancient for a quarterback. I think he is probably on the back nine, but I don’t think that is ancient for a quarterback, and he is taking care of himself really well, and I thought he finished the season strong. I thought he was in a really good rhythm last night. We were protecting, running the ball a little bit, he was hitting guys, and we just had some untimely drops right there that hurt him. »
When asked if the Giants planned to draft another quarterback, Reese said the team needs to start thinking about Manning’s replacement. Josh Johnson is currently the only other quarterback listed on the Giants’ depth chart. Johnson, and fellow Manning backup Ryan Nassib, are both free agents this offseason. Manning is due $13 million next season and is signed through 2019.
«We always think about every position,» Reese said. «But Eli is 36, and we have started to think about who is the next quarterback, and who is in line, so we will look into that as we move into the offseason. »
Giants coach Ben McAdoo said that Manning still can play at a high level.
«Each and every day we all have something to prove in this business,» McAdoo told reporters. «Each and every day we have to go out and prove it. I don’t see anything from this year that says he can’t play at a high level. »
The Giants did not score more than 30 points all season, after doing it seven times last season.
Manning completed 377-of-598 passes for 4,027 yards, 26 touchdowns, and 16 interceptions this season for the 11-5 Giants. His record as a starter was his best since 2008. While Manning’s completion percentage [63] was the second highest rate of his career, his touchdown total was his second-fewest since 2008. Manning hasn’t missed a game since his rookie season.
