Retired New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning believes the team is headed in the right direction and will prosper under new head coach Joe Judge. He also believes that second-year quarterback Daniel Jones will benefit from his absence.
Although Manning and Jones have and maintain a good professional relationship, the future Hall of Famer recognizes that his presence may have been awkward for Jones as a rookie and that his retirement will allow the 22-year-old to develop into a leader.
“I think it will be easier this year for him to kinda step up as that leader,” Manning said Monday on SiriusXM NFL Radio. “Last year was probably awkward for him, me being there, me being in meeting rooms and just kinda the whole dynamic. Me being gone and hey, he is the quarterback, he is the guy, for him to have that control and the authority over receivers and offensive line.
“I think he’s proven to be tough and works hard, he’s done all the right things, he has gone in with that approach of keeping his head down and not saying more than he has to, working hard and earning the respect from the teammates. Now he can elevate that where now he’s in charge. The questions are coming to him from the coordinator, he’s gonna have to give his voice and his opinion on things.”
Jones faces the added challenge of learning a new offense in just his second season, but Manning doesn’t envision that being too much of an issue.
“He’s got to learn a new offense, and get total control of that and earn the respect of a new coaching staff,” Manning said. “I think he’ll do a great job. They’ll figure out how to play and how to win football games in the NFL, the style, and I think he’s got the respect of the team and he’ll go out and have a great year.”
Manning added that he’s also spoken to Jones recently and discussed the impact COVID-19 has had on the team from a football standpoint.
“I know this has got to be, it’s obviously tough on a lot of people, but in the sports world to try to put a team together when you can’t be with them,” Manning said. “It’s got to be hard not to be able to practice and have a spring, especially with a new coach and new systems going in.
“He said it’s going well but it is a little different. Hopefully they’ll get back real soon and be able to get back to work.”
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