Giants general manager Dave Gettleman didn’t give a ringing endorsement of quarterback Eli Manning during his end-of-season press conference Wednesday, saying only: “We’re trying to build sustained success. That takes brutal honesty and tough decisions.”
And later in the day, Manning made matters only more ominous when he tackled questions about his future with, “We’ll see.”
“I don’t know if it’s leaning one way or the other right now,” Manning said on WFAN radio. “I think this is kind of the time to reflect and figure out what’s the best thing going forward.”
Manning, who turns 38 on Thursday, said he still loves playing football and feels physically capable, but added the last few seasons of losing football have “taken a toll” on him and his family.
Gettleman said he and Manning have had a “very honest and up-front conversation,” and Manning indicated there are more of those to come.
“I assume I’ll have conversations with Mr. Gettleman moving forward, see what’s best, and what we need to do," he said. "Everybody will be soul searching to figure out the best thing going forward to win more football games."
A two-time Super Bowl MVP, Manning added it’s “hard to imagine” playing in anything other than a Giants uniform. So, if Gettleman and the Giants decide the best move for the future of the franchise is moving away from a 15-year veteran under center, it sounds as if retirement is a serious possibility for Manning.