Skip to content

Manning doesn't feel he's in competition with Jones

Icon Sportswire / Getty

The New York Giants have laid the groundwork for a quarterback battle between two-time Super Bowl champion Eli Manning and rookie Daniel Jones.

Manning, 38, is entering his 16th season after consecutive disappointing campaigns, while the 22-year-old Jones was the Giants' first selection in the draft, going No. 6 overall.

Head coach Pat Shurmur hinted earlier in June at an open competition when he said he'll "play the very best player." However, Manning doesn't see it that way.

"I mean, no, I don't feel like it's a competition," the veteran said to NFL Network's Rhett Lewis at the Manning Passing Academy on Friday.

"I feel like I've got to do my job and I've got to compete every day and try to get better every day. That's the way I've been my whole life and that's just the way I've always approached practice every day to improve, to earn my place on the team, to earn the respect of the teammates and do it each year."

Manning added that he has no problem helping Jones through his rookie campaign.

"We've got new guys and I'm trying to build a relationship with them and get them up to speed and so I'm trying to do my job in the quarterback room," he said. "I've always been good with young quarterbacks, whoever's been in there, trying to get them up to speed, teaching them about defenses or styles or what our defense plays.

"So I'm doing the same thing with Daniel and I'm going to be a good teammate, I'm going to do the best that I can do and help everybody on the Giants be successful."

Daily Newsletter

Get the latest trending sports news daily in your inbox