It was not all that long ago that the New York Giants appeared to be on the verge of benching Eli Manning for the second time in two seasons, and that likely would have signaled the end of the quarterback’s days with the franchise. Suddenly, it looks like he is going to be right back in his usual role during the offseason and into 2019.
Ralph Vacchiano of SNY reported two weeks ago that Giants’ management believes another year with Manning as the team’s starting quarterback may be the best option at this point. New York has won two more games since that report, including an impressive overtime win over the playoff-bound Chicago Bears in Week 13. They have now won four of their last five after a rout of the Washington Redskins on Sunday, and Vacchiano says Manning returning in 2019 is “looking more and more likely every week.”
Rookie fourth-round pick Kyle Lauletta got a chance to play against Washington when the score got out of hand, and Vacchiano noted that his performance did nothing to convince the higher-ups that moving on from Manning is the best move.
Giants rookie QB Kyle Lauletta's 0 for 5 performance likely didn't change this story at all. The most likely starting QB for the Giants in 2019 is still Eli Manning. https://t.co/7ezrwQe4bQ
— Ralph Vacchiano (@RVacchianoSNY) December 9, 2018
Giants coach Pat Shurmur did not exactly have high praise for Manning earlier in the year, but things have stabilized a bit for the team since. While it would not be a surprise if the Giants drafted a quarterback early next year, they could opt to begin the season with Manning as the starter to see where it goes.
