Giants’ Eli Manning insists there’s no awkwardness with Daniel Jones

Eli Manning has been the New York Giants quarterback for the past 15 seasons and as he embarks on his 16th season, he has no intention of relenting his position to anyone, including Daniel Jones, the team’s top draft pick.

Manning came into the Giants’ organized team activities on Monday looking fit and ready to go. If Jones has designs on the starting quarterback job, he’s going to have a battle on his hands.

Coach Shurmur: Eli Manning looks really good…he’s throwing the ball well and looks strong physically.

— New York Giants (@Giants) May 20, 2019

Several observers at the team’s facility on Monday commented on how fit Manning looked. As he enters the final year of his contract, he’s taking his job as seriously as ever.

Eli Manning: I feel great. I worked hard this offseason to stay in shape. I feel like I have all the skills to go out there and play well.

— New York Giants (@Giants) May 20, 2019

But that doesn’t mean the Giants are locking themselves into Manning after this season. The plan is still on the “Kansas City” track, meaning Manning begin this season as the team’s starter before giving way to Jones either later this year or the beginning of next.

Manning said he knew there was a ‘strong possibility’ the Giants were going to draft a quarterback high in this draft.

“I’m fine with it,” he said.

Manning insists it’s not his job to be a mentor to Jones or any of the other quarterbacks on the team. He says that’s something he’s always done anyway, but its ultimately up to the other quarterbacks to pick things up and learn on their own.

Eli: I’ve been a “mentor” for the last 11 years. It’s on Daniel to listen and ask questions

— The Giant Insider Newspaper & Podcast (@GiantInsider) May 20, 2019

Manning says there is no conflict between him and Jones at the moment.

“There’s no awkwardness,” he said. And when a reporter pursued the subject by asking how he “gets past that,” Manning held his ground.

“Just don’t create it,” he said. “It’s not there. Just don’t make something that’s not an issue.”

Eli said all the right things today, but I think he's going to tire of the Daniel Jones line of questions sooner than later.

— Dan Duggan (@DDuggan21) May 20, 2019

“I understand the circumstances that I’m in and I know I need to play well and want to play well early, do my job and lead this team to wins.”

Manning just might be able to do that as he enters his second year in this offense. Team appeared to have more of a clue lining up on Monday than they did last year at this time. Manning said they were “playing faster” this spring.

The two-time Super Bowl MVP was asked how much longer he thinks he can play in this league. He said he didn’t have a time frame on that at the moment.