INDIANAPOLIS — New York Giants coach Pat Shurmur said he “fully” expects quarterback Eli Manning to return in 2019. The Giants have the sixth pick in the draft and there’s been heavy speculation they will take a quarterback with that pick.
Manning, 38, is under contract for next season.
“I think Eli can help us win games,” Shurmur said. “He proved when we started, 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.”
Manning threw for 4,299 yards, 21 touchdowns and 11 interceptions last season. The Giants, though, finished the year 5-11.
Shurmur did not indicate if the team was planning to take a quarterback in the first round, but he didn’t entirely dismiss the idea either.
“We’re trying to make our team better,” he said. “It’s no mystery — Eli is closer to 40 than he is 20. That’s no mystery. And certainly, we’re going to try to do the very best we can to get the best players, especially the one that’s playing quarterback.”
• Matthew Paras can be reached at mparas@washingtontimes.com.
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