With the New York Giants’ offseason program beginning on Monday, quarterback Eli Manning will more than likely have to answer several questions after another offseason filled with drama and uncertainty.
The veteran is, of course, used to facing the heat, but as his career winds down, the pressure mounts.
How will you handle a successor?
It can be assumed that this will be the first question Manning is asked due to the fact that the team still does not have a plan for the future at quarterback. With only 10 days to go until the NFL Draft, the Giants have continued to scout several candidates as a potential long-term replacement.
Despite this factor, general manager Dave Gettleman and head coach Pat Shurmur have fully endorsed Manning for this upcoming season. Gettleman recently hinted in an interview with WFAN’s Mike Francesa that the plan will most likely be to get their future quarterback this year and have him develop behind Eli in the 2019 season.
The real question is will Manning be willing to help groom his successor? Eli has always been praised as a great teammate especially by his backups, but will he be comfortable with a talented rookie breathing down his neck this year if he struggles? Only time will tell.
Is retirement an option after 2019?
This is also a topic that will be discussed at some point because of Manning’s current contract status. The 2019 season is the final year of Manning’s deal, which will in all likelihood be his last in East Rutherford.
Although the logical move would be to acquire his successor this year to groom him to become the starter in 2020, the Giants have also expressed their confidence in Eli’s ability to still play and would not rule out a possible extension beyond this year.
If the season turns into another wash like the last two, the two sides will probably move on. This could ultimately lead to the 38-year-old Manning’s retirement as he has been adamant that he only wishes to play for Big Blue.
How difficult will things be without Odell Beckham?
It will be no surprise if and when Eli’s former top target Odell Beckham Jr. is brought up on Monday. This surprising trade in March sent shock waves through the entire Giants organization and fan base leaving most blindsided and some outraged by the move.
Beckham put up historic numbers with Manning throwing to him over the last five seasons. In 59 games, Beckham caught 390 passes for 5,476 yards and 44 touchdowns.
Although it is easy to get caught up in his electrifying talent, the Giants only made one playoff appearance during Beckham’s tenure in New York. This was in no way his fault, but a change of scenery could be the best for both sides due to the fact that the Giants seem to be trying to go back to their old school philosophy of “ground and pound” football with Saquan Barkley leading the charge on offense.
While it is clear that Manning will undeniably miss his No. 1 receiver this year, the offense did show promise at the end of last season while Beckham was on the injured list. With a game plan centered around Barkley, tight end and vertical threat Evan Engram, and newly extended receiver Sterling Shepard, the offense put up a combined 102 points in their final four games.
Gettleman made it a priority to retain all of the complementary pieces of his offense from the second half last season with the likes of Cody Latimer, Bennie Fowler, Russell Shepard, and Scott Simonson. Tight end Rhett Ellison will also be back for another season, along with the newly signed veteran Golden Tate.
Despite the fact that Beckham’s star numbers are irreplaceable, the Giants have a lot more offensive talent than they have been given credit for and will most likely continue to add to it by looking to pickup a big bodied wideout in this upcoming draft. This will only help smooth the transition for Manning and this offensive unit in 2019 with the departure of Beckham.
