Eagles

Eli Manning Returns in 2019

By Kevin Kinkead

Published: Feb 27th, 2019 · 10:27 AM EST

---

Great news for Eagles fans.

Eli Manning is back in 2019, according to Giants head coach Pat Shurmur:

Pat Shurmur on Eli Manning: “He’s back.” pic.twitter.com/OWLW3NTQLP

— Ralph Vacchiano (@RalphVacchiano) February 27, 2019

Shurmur:

“I think Eli can help us win games. He proved, when the players around him started playing better, that he can play at a very high level and help us win games. At this point I want Eli back, he’s back, getting ready to go.”

Yeah?

Eli is 38 years old heading into his 16th NFL season. He threw for 21 touchdowns and 11 interceptions last year at 66% completion rate and 11.3 yards per catch. He certainly played better towards the end of the season but took a career-high 47 sacks for 358 yards, not all of which were his fault, of course.

Point is, the Giants can do better. Eli has been on the decline for years now as New York has put together just one winning season in the past six. He’s got Odell Beckham Jr. and Saquon Barkley in his arsenal, and I feel like the Giants are wasting those guys’ prime years by putting a 38 year old declining veteran under center.

Eli’s stats in two games vs. the Eagles last season:

50-80 (62.5% completion rate), 578 yards, one touchdown, two interceptions, six sacks

Thanks, New York.