Dave Gettleman hints that Eli Manning will remain Giants’ starter in 2018

Eli Manning will likely be playing for a new head coach in 2018, but that does not necessarily mean the veteran quarterback will be wearing a different uniform.

During his introductory press conference on Friday, new Giants general manager Dave Gettleman was asked about Manning’s future with the franchise. He hinted that he is leaning toward retaining Manning as the team’s starter going forward.

Gettleman on Eli Manning: "I've got to look at the film. … Eli's won a lot of games … If what I saw in Philadelphia is not a mirage — and I don't believe it is — we'll keep moving."

— Ralph Vacchiano (@RVacchianoSNY) December 29, 2017

Manning put up a dud in last week’s 23-0 loss to the Cardinals, but he was very effective in a shootout against the Eagles the week before. He completed 37 of 57 passes for 434 yards, three touchdowns and an interception in that game. Gettleman was obviously impressed by what he saw and feels it was not a fluke.

Manning will turn 37 next week, and the Giants are likely going to have the No. 2 overall pick in the draft. That could put them in position to draft a potential franchise quarterback like Josh Rosen or Sam Darnold, but Gettleman may not want either player to have to start as a rookie.

While Manning’s best football is almost certainly behind him, it’s unfair to judge him in a season where he lost Odell Beckham Jr., Brandon Marshall, and other receivers. New York has been a bad football team all around, and Eli was basically put in a position to fail. Despite a report we heard about what some Giants executives think about him, Manning could conceivably be the Week 1 starter for the G-Men in 2018.