Giants bench Manning, name Jones starting QB
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) throws a pass under pressure from Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle Maliek Collins (96) in Sunday's game in Arlington, Texas.
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. - Eli Manning's long and distinguished reign as the New York Giants' starting quarterback is seemingly over. Let the Daniel Jones era begin.
Coach Pat Shurmur announced Tuesday that the No. 6 overall pick in the NFL draft is replacing the two-time Super Bowl MVP as the Giants' quarterback, beginning Sunday at Tampa Bay.
The 38-year-old Manning has been the Giants' starter since replacing Kurt Warner after nine games in the 2004 season, the year Manning was traded to New York by San Diego after it took him with the No. 1 overall pick.
Manning led the Giants to Super Bowl titles following the 2007 and '11 seasons, beating Tom Brady and the Patriots both times.
"Eli and I spoke this morning," Shurmur said. "I told him that we are making a change and going with Daniel as the starter. I also talked to Daniel. Eli was obviously disappointed, as you would expect, but he said he would be what he has always been, a good teammate, and continue to prepare to help this team win games. Daniel understands the challenge at hand, and he will be ready to play on Sunday."
The Giants players had Tuesday off and Manning was not available for comment.
Manning is in the final year of a four-year, $84 million contract that includes a no-trade clause. His salary cap hit this season is $23.2 million.
In two games, Manning completed 56 of 89 passes for 556 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions for a passer rating of 78.7.
The question of when Jones would take over has been a constant topic since the Giants drafted him. It gained momentum when the 22-year-old Duke product completed 29 of 34 passes for 416 yards, two touchdowns, no interceptions in the preseason. His 137.2 quarterback rating was the best in the league.
Manning, who is playing in a team-record 16th season with the Giants, knew the change was a possibility.
"We're 0-2 and you are looking for answers," he said Monday. "I get it, we drafted a guy early and you are not winning games, these things are going to come up. I just have to keep working and do whatever my job is."
On Sunday, his job will be as Jones' backup.
Manning has started 232 of the Giants' past 233 regular-season games. The loss Sunday to the Bills dropped his record to .500 at 116-116.
Manning started 210 consecutive regular-season games from Nov. 21, 2004 to Nov. 23, 2017, the second-longest streak by a quarterback in NFL history. Only Brett Favre (297) started more consecutive games. Manning did not play on Dec. 3, 2017, at Oakland when then-coach Ben McAdoo started Geno Smith instead.
McAdoo and general manager Jerry Reese were fired the next day and Manning returned to running the team, starting the past 22 games.
Manning holds all of the Giants' career passing records, including attempts (8,061, which places him sixth in NFL history), completions (4,860, sixth), passing yards (56,537, seventh) and touchdown passes (362, eighth).