When the news of New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning’s demotion to backup was announced in Week 3 of this season, the NFL veteran remained positive — at least in the public eye.
“There’s a lot to be grateful for,” he said. “I’m going to accept my new role and make the best of it.”
The team’s new starting quarterback, No. 6 overall draft pick Daniel Jones, stated at the time that Manning was “nothing but supportive” of him amid the team’s decision.
Late in the year, when an injury to Jones’s ankle provided Manning with the opportunity to start for the Giants again, he opened up a bit more about how he felt this season, stating that he was “eager” to play and that he missed being on the field leading his team.
On Monday, the day after the Giants finished the regular season with a 4-12 record and fired head coach Pat Shurmur, Manning was a bit more honest about the reality of being Jones’s backup, calling the job “no fun.” When asked if he would consider being a backup for another year, Manning rejected the idea.
Kelsey Driscoll 