Eli Manning Landing Spots For the 2018 NFL Season

Eli Manning did not have the glorious curtain call to his epic run as New York Giants quarterback that everybody wished would happen.

That became the case when head coach Ben McAdoo made the announcement the 2-9 team would be starting Geno Smith moving forward. No doubt this is a clear concession by the organization that it’s time for a change. The move will end Manning’s 210-game streak of consecutive starts. It stands as the second-longest in NFL history eclipsed only by the 297 of the immortal Brett Favre.

It’s such a shame too. Manning stands as one of the classiest acts going in professional football. He may not always show his emotions but the it’s clear the man loves the game so much and loves the Giants organization. For them to not at least give him until the end of the season before making a change feels like the ultimate slight after years of brilliant service. This guy has a realistic shot to make the Hall of Fame.

At some point though the competitor in him will take over. He’ll want to at least go out on a high note and seek an opportunity elsewhere. It’s a matter of finding the right fit. Here are three teams that make the most sense.

#3:  Arizona Cardinals

Look at what Bruce Arians was able to do with Carson Palmer. Everybody thought the man was done in the NFL. Then the Cardinals got him to play nearly like an MVP for a two-year stretch at one point. Arians knows his window is closing and doesn’t want to start over with a rookie. Manning would offer him a brief reprieve to take another crack at reaching the Super Bowl. This signing would afford them the chance to use their off-season to rebuild the offensive line and wide receiver groups, something that needs to happen.

#2:  Denver Broncos

John Elway pulled off a huge gamble when he scooped up Peyton Manning in 2012 after the Indianapolis Colts cut him loose. He responded with arguably the best stretch of his career including a historic 2013 season and a Lombardi trophy in 2015. Besides that the Denver Broncos have built a legacy on winning titles with older quarterbacks. It happened for Elway and again for Manning. No doubt they’d feel Eli has enough gas in the tank for one or two more good years. Given what they’ve had at QB the past two years, that sounds acceptable.

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#1:  Jacksonville Jaguars

This has to be by far the most likely destination for Manning. Tom Coughlin is running the show in Jacksonville now. He of course has deep connections with Manning since they won two Super Bowls together. Jacksonville is also a fairly complete team save for their quarterback position. Gambling on Manning to be an upgrade over Blake Bortles is certainly something to consider. He’d have an elite defense and powerful running game to lean on. All they’d need is some quality weapons at receiver.