Eli Manning: “I don’t know” if I will be Giants’ starting quarterback in 2019

Fans and media pundits have spent an inordinate amount of time thinking about whether or not Eli Manning will or should be the starting quarterback for the New York Giants next season. Manning said Wednesday he doesn’t know what is going to happen.

“I don’t know,” Manning said when asked directly if he expected to be the team’s 2019 starter. “Haven’t got into that or thought much about that. I’m just worried about doing my job and finishing the season.”

The 37-year-old Manning is concluding his 15th season with the Giants, and his 14th as the full-time starter.

“I didn’t know (if he would return) last year, either,” Manning said. “We’ll figure it out.

“Whenever you get to year 15 these things come up.”

Manning and the Giants’ offense have played better the second half of the season, and coach Pat Shurmur has recently been complementary regarding the quarterback’s play. Still, the quarterback will be 38 next season and the Giants are concluding a sixth season without a playoff berth in the last seven years.

Wide receiver Sterling Shepard said he would “love to” have Manning throwing him the ball next season.

“He still has it in him, in my eyes,” Shepard said on Wednesday. “He’s the smartest guy I’ve ever played with and he’s still making the throws.”

So, like the rest of us, Manning and his teammates will be guessing for at least a bit longer.