What should the New York Giants do with Eli Manning?
Eli Manning has been benched, this time possibly for good, so what should the Giants do with him?
It only took two games, but the New York Giants have benched Eli Manning in favor of rookie Daniel Jones for Week 3 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. As long as Jones is healthy, the move will surely be a permanent changing of the guard under center for the Giants.
The Giants tried benching Manning two years ago, as then-head coach Ben McAdoo ended his epic consecutive start streak in favor of Geno Smith. But now it’s being done with a better plan in place, as Jones will get an opportunity to play.
Manning is in the final year of his contract, and it’s safe to assume retirement is on the table after the season rather than trying to latch on somewhere else. The Giants could trade him, but even with some notable quarterback injuries around the league there won’t be much of a market for a 38-year old signal caller who is clearly cooked. He also has a no-trade clause, which of course he’d have to waive.
The Giants could cut the two-time Super Bowl MVP, but they’d owe him the balance of his $11.5 million base salary for this year ($10.14 million). He could retire immediately, but even though he has made plenty of money in his career why should he tap out and give up that $10.14 million?
Placement on the reserved/retired list is an option, as laid out by Pro Football Talk, where Manning could pass through waivers and land elsewhere if he wanted to return this season. That would more comfortably remove him from symbolically being over Jones’ shoulder, which would be a win for the Giants.
The Giants could just keep Manning for the rest of the season as a backup/mentor for Jones. He’d also be there as an option if the rookie out of Duke gets injured, or is just flat-out in over his head.
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Before the end of the season, there’s no easy path for the Giants and Manning to part ways. A ceremonial start or two in December, when the team has three home games and assuming they are not a playoff contender, could serve as a farewell tour.