Eli Manning Rumors: New York Giants Won't Trade Quarterback After Daniel Jones Is Named Starter

It only took two weeks into the 2019 NFL season for the New York Giants to bench Eli Manning for Daniel Jones. After 234 career games, the two-time Super Bowl MVP is unlikely to ever make another start for the only franchise he’s ever known.

What does that mean for Manning’s future in New York? Speculation has already begun about the possibility of the Giants trading the veteran.

Amid the news that Cam Newton missed practice Tuesday, five Week 1 starting quarterbacks could be forced to sit in Week 3 with an injury or illness. Ben Roethlisberger is done for the year. Drew Brees and Nick Foles will miss significant time. Sam Darnold is out with mononucleosis.

There are also teams like the Denver Broncos and Chicago Bears that have strong defenses but are being held back by poor quarterback play. Manning would arguably be an upgrade at signal caller for both teams.

But don’t expect the Giants to trade Manning before the Oct. 29 trade deadline.

It isn’t just the fact that it’s hard to believe any team would give up an asset in exchange for Manning, although that’s part of it.

The Jacksonville Jaguars won’t give up a draft pick for an over-the-hill Manning when their $88 million quarterback will return in two months. The New Orleans Saints paid Teddy Bridgewater $7.25 million this offseason in case Brees got hurt. The Pittsburgh Steelers likely want to see what they have in Mason Rudolph, who performed well in relief of Roethlisberger last week.

Even if a team entertained the idea of trying to trade for Manning, a deal probably wouldn’t happen.

When Manning signed a contract extension four years ago, it included a no-trade clause. According to multiple reports, the 38-year-old seemingly has no interest in going to another team this season.

Manning is guaranteed to make $17 million this year. He might want to play in 2020, but it is unknown if there will be much of a market for the two-time champion in what would be his 17th NFL season.

The Giants have been outscored 63-31 in two games with Manning under center. The quarterback has completed 62.9 percent of his passes for 556 yards, two touchdowns, two interceptions and a 78.7 passer rating. He’s posted a losing record in five of the last six seasons.

New York selected Jones with the No.6 overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft. The rookie had a terrific preseason by completing 29 of 34 passes for 416 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions.