The Giants aren’t sure what their plan at quarterback will be after this season.
Eli Manning was inconsistent as the Giants missed the playoffs for a second straight year and his contract is set to expire after 2019. Co-owner John Mara discussed the 38-year-old quarterback’s future when he met with reporters this week.
“We’re going to take it one year at a time,” Mara said about Manning, via Newsday. “At this stage of his career, you take it one year at a time.”
Mara said the team is considering selecting a signal caller in next month’s draft.
“I would like to come out of this draft with a quarterback,” Mara said. “That would be a great scenario if it happened… It’d be a great situation to have somebody in place to sit behind Eli for some period of time, see how he prepares for each game, see what a professional he is. A young quarterback can only get better doing that.”
But, Mara said the team will not “force the issue.”
“Here’s the thing: Show me what the grades are,” Mara said. “What’s the value there? If the top quarterbacks are graded toward the bottom of the first round or even in the second round, I’m not going to insist that we take one at No. 6 or even at No. 17. Show me what the value is. That’s always been our philosophy on that.”
Manning completed 66 percent of his passes and threw for 21 touchdowns, along with 11 interceptions, in 16 games in 2018.
Giants general manager Dave Gettleman defended Manning earlier this month.
“This narrative that Eli’s overpaid and can’t play is a crock,” Gettleman said, via The New York Post. “I’m telling you.’’
The 15-year veteran has won two Super Bowls during his time with the Giants.