Giants' Daniel Jones on taking over for Eli Manning: 'I understand the responsibility'

E.Jay Zarett

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Giants' Daniel Jones on taking over for Eli Manning: 'I understand the responsibility' image

Daniel Jones is ready for his opportunity. 

Giants coach Pat Shurmur announced Tuesday that Jones would replace veteran Eli Manning as the team's quarterback in its Week 3 matchup with the Buccaneers. Jones discussed taking over as New York's starter at a press conference one day later. 

"I'm ready to embrace it," Jones said, via SNY. "I think focusing on what we're doing here, focusing on what we're doing in the building in the preparation with my teammates and coaches. To be here in the moment, this week is important with that. Certainly feel like I can embrace that and looking forward to the opportunity."

The Giants selected Jones out of Duke with the No. 6 pick in the 2019 draft. The move was not popular with fans, however, Jones impressed in the preseason, completing 29 of his 34 passes for 416 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions. 

"I think you never really know when something like this is going to happen and my job is to be ready and to continue to improve," Jones said. "I feel like I've been able to do that. ... I understand the responsibility. I understand the challenge, but I'm looking forward to it."

Manning has won two Super Bowls and started 232 games during his 16 years with the Giants. But, New York has struggled in recent seasons and Manning has been inconsistent in 2019 during the team's 0-2 start.  

"Since I've gotten here, Eli's been nothing but helpful and welcoming to me," Jones said. "I think obviously now the roles are different and there'll be some difference there. But largely our relationship and how we communicate will be the same. He's done it for a long time at a really high level, so there's certainly a ton I can learn from him still."

Manning has "no immediate plans to waive" his no-trade clause, according to an earlier report from SNY. 

 

E.Jay Zarett