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Eli Manning and Daniel Jones may have been beer buddies by the end of last season, but there were points where it was “awkward” between them. “Looking back, there was definitely probably a little bit awkward at times, certain times,’’ Jones said Tuesday, when asked during a conference call whether he agreed with the sentiment …
Eli Manning and Daniel Jones may have been beer buddies by the end of last season, but there were points where it was “awkward” between them.
“Looking back, there was definitely probably a little bit awkward at times, certain times,’’ Jones said Tuesday, when asked during a conference call whether he agreed with the sentiment recently expressed by Manning. “But we did a good job working together. I thought it was a huge advantage for me to be able to learn for him and talk to him every day. It will be different, it will be an adjustment.’’
The little tension was understandable. Jones, taken with the sixth overall pick in the 2019 draft to succeed Manning, became the starter sooner than expected after the Giants lost their opening two games.
Jones showed promise, throwing 24 touchdowns against 12 interceptions in 13 games.
The rebuilding Giants went 4-12.
“Last year was probably awkward for him, me being there, me being in meeting rooms and just kind of the whole dynamic,” Manning said last week on SiriusXM NFL Radio. “Me being gone and hey, he is the quarterback, he is the guy, for him to have that control and the authority over receivers and offensive line.”
While it must have been odd to see the spotlight shift to another quarterback after 16 seasons and two Super Bowls with the Giants, the 39-year-old Manning never appeared bitter toward Jones about the sudden transition and often was seen celebrating with the 22-year-old Duke product on the field.
And off it, too. After an overtime win against the Redskins in December, the two were spotted playing the popular bar game flip cup and at a Hoboken bar.
Since retiring, Manning has continued to praise Jones, and told Sirius that he is confidence Jones will be ready to lead the Giants — whenever the season begins.
