Eli Manning is going to weigh multiple options, but returning to the Giants isn’t one of them.
He could retire.
He could reverse years of legacy-minded thinking and put on another uniform in 2020.
But return to the Giants as Daniel Jones’ backup and learn a new coach’s system?
“I doubt it,” Manning said matter-of-factly. “Backing up is not real fun.”
The fan base’s thought that the Giants should bring back Manning as a backup to Jones never took into account that two parties make that decision. Sure, it would be ideal for the Giants to have a two-time Super Bowl champion as a mentor and emergency solution, but that’s not enticing to Manning.
So the choice boils down to two options. Maybe just retirement — unless he gets the signal from another team that he would be allowed to compete for a starting job as more than just a two-game caretaker for a youngster.
Manning, who is the highest-paid player in NFL history at more than $252 million, could be a free agent for the first time in his career come March.
“The first decision is whether I want to continue to play or not, and then I’ll go from there,” Manning said. “That [putting on another uniform] will come into consideration. That’s what I’ll be thinking about these next couple days.”
Brett Favre, Peyton Manning, Joe Montana, Johnny Unitas and other great quarterbacks changed teams late in their careers. The elder Manning retired after winning a Super Bowl with the Broncos, when his shoulder was too damaged to be the same Hall of Fame player.
Eli, who will celebrate his 39th birthday next week but never missed a game due to injury in 16 years, faces no such health concerns.
“I think I can still play,” Manning said.
Manning was benched for Jones after losing to the Bills in Week 2, and returned for two starts, including an emotional send-off and curtain call when he started for the injured Jones and led the Giants to a win over the Dolphins. Then Manning did not play in the final two regular season games after Jones returned. He is 117-117 in his career.
Giants owner John Mara fired coach Pat Shurmur on Monday.
“It [Manning’s benching] had absolutely nothing to do with this decision,” Mara said. “Dave [Gettleman] called me on Sunday evening after the Buffalo game and said, ‘Pat wants to play Daniel.’ My only question was, ‘Do you think Daniel is ready? If you think he’s ready, then whenever Pat wants to do.'”
Manning quietly exited the postgame locker room Sunday, and stood in front of his practice locker surrounded by cameras for probably the final time Monday.
“It’s tough to know how you are going to feel on this day and it takes a little bit of time for it truly sink in,” Manning said. “The great thing about football is you can reflect on the good things and you can choose what to remember and what to forget.
“I’m going to choose to remember the wins and the fellowship here with my teammates. Too many great memories and laughs and wins and celebrations to worry about the tough times.”
Manning said he does not want to “linger around” and will make the decision “as soon as possible” as he thinks about it over the next “days and weeks.”
“I’m going to think about it and talk to my family and figure out what’s best for me and us,” Manning said. “Sit on it and hopefully have that answer on what I want to do and what my next steps are.”
Coaching isn’t an option, either.
“I don’t think so,” Manning said. “I felt like I was kind of a coach this year and I didn’t enjoy it much.”
He paused, then added, “I take it back. I coach a third-grade basketball team for my daughter. I’m the assistant. I take it pretty seriously, and I enjoy that.”
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