Shurmur hints at QB battle: Giants will 'play the very best player'

The New York Giants have repeatedly insisted Eli Manning is their starting quarterback.

But on Tuesday, head coach Pat Shurmur seemed to crack the door open for rookie Daniel Jones to steal the top job.

"We're gonna play the very best player," said Shurmur, according to Tom Rock of Newsday. "I know we're dancing around the words here, but right now Eli is getting ready to have a great year and Daniel is getting ready to play. We'll just see what happens."

Giants general manager Dave Gettleman has said he believes Manning could have years left in the tank. The executive even hinted after the draft - when he selected Jones sixth overall - that the team could follow the Aaron Rodgers-Brett Favre model and sit the rookie for multiple seasons.

However, Shurmur emphasized that New York will choose its starting quarterback solely based on who puts the team in the best position to succeed.

"I'm don't want to be cryptic," Shurmur said. "The players who give our team the best chance to win play. Period. We've seen Eli do that for a very long time, so we'll see what happens as we go down the road."

Jones impressed during minicamp while working with the second-team offense, and star running back Saquon Barkley pushed the hype to a new level by declaring the former Duke standout will lead the Giants to "two Super Bowls."