Q&A: Why Eli Manning is rooting for Daniel Jones to achieve Giants, QB goals

Eli Manning has morphed from Giants quarterback into Giants fan seamlessly. Now in his fourth year of retirement, the two-time Super Bowl MVP has settled into a role of mentor for successor Daniel Jones. And Manning is busier than ever off the field, with countless media and marketing commitments.

Manning recently caught up with The Athletic while promoting Corona. He shared his thoughts on Jones, life as a fan and other topics:

Every time we talk, it’s natural to focus on Daniel Jones. But in the past, we’ve spoken about dealing with adversity. On the flip side, how do you deal with prosperity as the Giants quarterback?

You’ve got to learn to deal with both of them in the same way is really the idea. You’re never satisfied, you always have something you want to work on. I think he has that mentality. I think he still feels like he has a lot to prove, that he wants to win a championship, be one of the best quarterbacks. That’s what he’s working toward. I think he’s worked really hard. I think he feels very comfortable in this offense and being the leader of this team and taking ownership and that responsibility. He wants to go out there and play well.

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I heard you were together at your house in the Hamptons for a few days during the offseason. What’s he’s like as a roommate?

He was a good houseguest. We had a good time, definitely had some fun. We played some golf, worked out — he worked out and threw, I just kind of was out there coaching some of the kids up. It was good to hang out with him and get to do that.

It’s been so natural for him to be compared to you because it seems like he has a lot of the same traits that you have. Now that you know him well, what do you think when people make that comparison?

I think that’s why we’ve become pals and stayed in touch. I’ve never had resentment toward him in any way just because I appreciate the way he’s handled his business. I appreciate the way he’s come in and worked hard and dealt with the controversy and dealt with the ups and downs. He’s always wanted to make improvements and get better. I appreciate his attitude and his commitment to football. I’m rooting for him and I’m a fan of him.

I’m sure him getting the big contract hasn’t changed how he’s gone about his business. But you’ve gotten big contracts, so does it change anything?

It can be stressful when you don’t know what your circumstances are — where you’re playing or how you’re thought of. You’ve got coaches changing and GMs changing. I think (it’s important) for him to know this coaching staff and upper management have faith in him and have trust in him that he can go out there and earn everything that he’s gotten.

Knowing what he’s been through in his career, what was your reaction when he got the curtain call from Giants fans when they clinched a playoff berth last season?

I think it was great. That’s kind of what it’s all about. It’s not supposed to be easy. You don’t always get immediate love. I think the New York fans appreciate someone that’s struggled or gone through ups and downs and has come out on top. They appreciate his toughness and being able to handle that. I appreciate it as well.

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What’s it like for you to get showered with love from Giants fans now? Because there were some tough times in your last few seasons.

It’s much better (laughs). They have a short memory, which is good. I appreciate the New York fans and their support over the 16 years. Obviously, having the championship runs helps. You always have that on the resume. It’s great going back. I enjoy going back to games. I enjoy bringing my kids to games and just rooting for the Giants, especially last year when they were winning and getting the fans fired up. It was fun to see.

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You’re not the average fan, so what’s it like for you to watch a game?

I think just like the average fan. If I’m at the game, I’ve got my kids. I’m just sitting there and usually I’m going to get them snacks and food. I’ve got my Corona and just enjoying the atmosphere. I’m not trying to watch too much of the defense and what’s going on. I don’t know the plays coming in, I don’t know their offense and what they’re doing. Sometimes, if I really get to sit there and have a moment for critical plays in the game — the two-minute drives, the fourth-quarter situations — I’ll get dialed in a little bit just so if I see Daniel after the game, I can say, “That was good. They were playing this.” I can talk ball with him, which not everybody can do.

You only retired three years ago, but not many of your former teammates are still there. Is it strange not having those connections with the team?

Obviously, I have Daniel, Saquon (Barkley), Sterling Shepard, Dexter (Lawrence) — a few of the guys that are still there. There’s a lot of new faces. I don’t always know the players. I’ve got to do my research. I get the program and go, “Who’s this guy?” You get turnover, so you’ve got to study up and make sure you know who the guys are.

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Tom Coughlin was a semifinalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s 2024 class, but he wasn’t named the finalist. What do you think of his candidacy?

I think he’s a strong candidate. Just what he’s meant to the New York Giants and the Jacksonville Jaguars — getting that franchise started. And his contribution to the NFL as a head coach, as an assistant coach and being part of so many championships and other coaches that have come under his wing. I obviously think he’s very deserving of it and hope it works out for him.

I don’t know how well you’ve gotten to know Brian Daboll, but what has impressed you so far?

I think just the way he gets the team to rally around him. They just have such great respect for him. He can sit in the locker room and chat it up with them and have a lot of fun, yet on the field, he’s going to rip them and yell at them. He has high standards of how they should be playing. I think players appreciate that. He’s not scared to coach you up and tell you when you’re screwing up. I think it’s a complete honesty at all times. There’s an open book of how it’s supposed to be and what he’s expecting. I think players are rallying around that.

From an X’s and O’s standpoint, what does he do well?

The schemes of matching up the runs with the run fakes and having everything look the same. So it’s not just random plays put together. You have all plays and adjustments and multiple schemes that all look alike — the run and the pass, he matches those things up to get guys open. That’s the goal.

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There are parallels between the addition of Darren Waller for Jones and Plaxico Burress for you. What can a target like that do for a quarterback?

I think just being that guy you can trust to get open, to make the tough catches. He’s such a big body with a wide range that you can throw him open. He doesn’t necessarily have to be wide open and you still trust to get him the ball and throw it to a spot where he can get it and no one else can. I think just having those matchups over the middle, whether he’s on a safety or a linebacker, you feel like he’s a mismatch. Just to have that trust when you have a one-on-one that he’s going to win for you.

What are your thoughts on Aaron Rodgers coming into this market?

Obviously, Aaron is extremely talented. He’s had a great career so far. He’s coming into a talented (New York Jets) roster — they’re good on defense, talented guys at receiver. I like when the New York sports teams are playing well from basketball, hockey, baseball and football. So I think it’s good for the town and good for the energy when everybody is doing well.

Would you have done the “Quarterback” show on Netflix during your career?

No. It was a different time. There wasn’t so much access. Now quarterbacks and people are more used to it. Obviously, that one came out well. You had (Patrick) Mahomes and he goes and wins a Super Bowl with it. Kirk Cousins makes the playoffs and has one of his great years. It was fun watching those two guys throughout the season.

What are you doing with Corona?

I’m excited to team up with Corona and be coaching the team Fine Life. I think it’s just the idea that being a sports fan can be a stressful, high-intensity situation. Being a Corona sports fan is a little bit different, where you can really find ways to cherish and root for all situations that happen in a game or the course of the season, no matter what the score is. You sit back, watch the game, have some laughs, have some fun, have a Corona. That sounds like a better way to experience it.

(2019 photo of Eli Manning, left, and Daniel Jones: Rich Graessle / Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

The Football 100, the definitive ranking of the NFL’s best 100 players of all time, goes on sale this fall. Pre-order it here.

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