One of the most prevalent arguments the past few years among followers of the New York Giants is why the team won’t admit they need to move on from Eli Manning.
It’s the 800-pound gorilla in the room for some, but for the Giants, it’s a non-issue. Manning’s performance has ebbed and flowed throughout his 15 years with Big Blue, yet his successes and failures are no different than his peers.
Ben Roethlisberger has two Super Bowl rings, but was not named MVP in either game. Philip Rivers has impressive statistics but little to show for them. Drew Brees has complied insane numbers but has hoisted the Lombardi Trophy only once.
But yet, the consensus is that Manning must go post haste. The Giants aren’t buying it. Yes, they know Eli’s time will come, but with one year remaining on his whopping contract, they are choosing to stick with him. For more year, at least.
Co-owner John Mara was knocked off his pins a bit at the NFL League Meetings on Sunday when asked it sentimentality played a role in the team’s decision to see the Manning era through.
There you have it. Mara getting ornery over the mere suggestion that he would put personal sentiment over the greater good of the team.
The Giants are surely looking into a long term solution at quarterback. The only question remaining is who that person will be. Should they delve into this year’s wafer-thin lot in the upcoming NFL Draft, or wait until next year’s bumper crop to arrive?
Or, they could make a trade. Arizona is believed to be moving on from Josh Rosen. There’s a lot of moving parts to this drama.
But the one narrative that many have been riding now has been shot down. The Giants are a business and until they find the right replacement for Manning, he’s going nowhere.
