Eli Manning’s future lies with the Jacksonville Jaguars
By Nick Zaccone
Coach McAdoo decided to start Geno Smith against the Oakland Raiders this Sunday, making Eli Manning’s future with the New York Giants even more uncertain.
It looks as if Eli Manning’s time as a New York Giant may be over. On Tuesday, Ben McAdoo officially decided to bench the two-time Super Bowl champion after the team’s 2-9 start.
At first glance, this move seems to be out of desperation. McAdoo is on thin ice, and he has to do everything he can to at least try to pry some wins from this team. His decision wasn’t a respectable one, however, considering the man he’s benching is Eli Manning.
Old or young, Eli’s track record will forever make him a more reliable option than Geno Smith. If the Giants don’t fire Ben McAdoo, Eli needs to request an exit from Big Blue. At the trade deadline, there was some speculation that Manning would perhaps be dealt to the Jacksonville Jaguars. That, obviously, never happened. However, Eli could very well be heading south once this painful season is over.
When taking it all into account, Jacksonville is the best-case scenario for Eli Manning at this point in his career. The Jaguars have one of the best young defensive squads in the NFL, along with an up-and-coming offense. This is their most successful season in years, and they’ve been able to consistently win with an underperforming quarterback.
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A struggling Blake Bortles at the helm of a 7-4 team isn’t the most secure option. Plug Eli into the equation, an experienced veteran who has two Super Bowl wins under his belt, and you may have something. He could potentially be the difference between AFC wild-card contention and Super Bowl contention for the Jags. Tom Coughlin, now vice president of football operations for the Jaguars, was Manning’s coach through both of those Super Bowl wins. What more could Eli need?
It’s understandable if Manning ends up wanting to stay or retire altogether in New York. After 13 years, a guy like him has to have some kind of emotional attachment to Big Blue. Still, in this situation, it doesn’t look like Eli is going to get another shot. He needs to follow in his brother’s footsteps and do what’s best for his career.
After all, the Jaguars are a playoff team who should be more than willing to take Manning. With Coughlin there, it wouldn’t be the worst change in the world. Who knows, he might even be able to rival Brady in the AFC and bring a Super Bowl to Jacksonville.
Next: Will Eli Manning ever play for the Giants again?
If this is truly the end for Eli Manning in New York, then he needs to take a chance and request to leave. At this point, it’s a chance worth taking.