Manning declined chance to keep consecutive starts streak alive

The New York Giants planned to play Geno Smith at quarterback this weekend against the Oakland Raiders, but it wasn't until Eli Manning declined the chance to start that Smith became the No. 1 option.

Manning released a statement obtained by Mike Garafolo of NFL Network on Tuesday, stating head coach Ben McAdoo offered him the chance to begin the game at quarterback to keep his 210-game starting streak alive. Manning declined that chance after being told Smith and Davis Webb would then come on in relief.

Coach McAdoo told me I could continue to start while Geno and Davis are given an opportunity to play. My feeling is that if you are going to play the other guys, play them. Starting just to keep the streak going and knowing you won't finish the game and have a chance to win it is pointless to me, and it tarnishes the streak. Like I always have, I will be ready to play if and when I am needed. I will help Geno and Davis prepare to play as well as they possibly can.

Manning has started 210 games in a row, the NFL's longest active streak and, according to ESPN, has thrown nearly 99 percent of the Giants' passes since his first career start.

With the Giants out of playoff contention, it appears the front office wants to see what Smith and Webb can do at the position before the offseason.