New York Giants: Eli Manning plays well and it makes no difference

Eli Manning has performed well in his return to the New York Giants starting lineup, making no difference to the future of the franchise.

To quote the great Judge Judy, there was a big “kerfuffle” around the New York Giants. We all know why. How dare they bench Eli Manning? Eli Manning can’t be treated this way! He is the franchise! He had a streak going, and Geno Smith is going to be the one to end it? How could the team treat their star this way after all he has done for the team?

Well it ended up costing Ben McAdoo and Jerry Reese their respective jobs. Steve Spagnuolo has been named the interim coach for the rest of the season. He will have his chance to interview but no guarantees. But this isn’t about that. One of Spagnuolo’s first moves as the man in charge was to put Eli Manning back in the starting lineup. The plan appears to be that he will start the rest of the season.

Now, Eli has played well over the last two games. He has looked a quarterback that definitely has something left in the tank. He has completed 66% of his passes (68-103), four touchdowns, and three interceptions. He has looked quite good. But guess what? It means ABSOLUTELY NOTHING.

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Why does it mean nothing? Because the only thing that comes out of it is potentially stunting the future growth of the franchise.

Manning was nominated for Fed Ex Air Player of the Week, and the Giants still lost. They have lost both games since he returned to the lineup. The Giants record now stands at 2-12, tying the record for most losses in team history.

When the record is this bad, it is PRIME time to sit the quarterback, especially an aging one. Does this quarterback’s last name earn him special treatment? I understand that Eli Manning got emotional when talking about his benching, but does that mean his needs should come before the team’s needs? A backup quarterback could lead them to a 2-12 record, as could a rookie.

Without trying to be disrespectful, two championships speak for themselves, but this is the same quarterback that has never led the league in touchdown passes but has led the league in interceptions three separate times.

Manning is not going to be back with the Giants in 2018. John Mara may want him back but fact is, it’s not likely. He is not due anymore guaranteed money going forward but he is due a $5 million bonus on the third day of the league year. Eli Manning is not going to see that bonus. His brother didn’t take a pay cut, Eli isn’t likely to either. He will be somewhere else in 2018.

Don’t the Giants owe it to their future to take a look at Davis Webb? What does leaving Eli in the lineup prove exactly? They win another game or two and change their draft position? Good for them. It does nobody any favors.

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The Giants are showing Eli Manning an admirable amount of loyalty. In a vacuum they should be commended for it. But the NFL doesn’t exist in a vacuum. In the business that is the NFL, loyalty and a dollar will get you a Daily News. Leaving Eli in the lineup in the worst Giants season in recent memory does nothing for the franchise. It’s time to plan for the future now.

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