I want Eli back, says Giants' coach Shurmur

New York Giants coach Pat Shurmur said he still considers Eli Manning his team's starting quarterback. General manager Dave Gettleman might have other ideas.

Speaking on Wednesday at the 2019 NFL Scouting Combine, Shurmur tried to squash speculation that Manning could be traded or released this offseason. "I think Eli can help us win games. He proved, when the players around him start playing better, that he can play at a very high level and help us win games," the second-year coach said. "At this point, I want Eli back. He's back."

And while Manning might be on the roster when training camp opens, Gettleman wouldn't guarantee that the 38-year-old would begin, and end, the 2019 season as the starting QB. "There's a million different models. A million ways to do this," he said. "There's still a lot of time to make these decisions. I can cite a number of models where they have a veteran guy, drafted a young guy and the torch got passed. And everybody went away happy. "

Several recent mock drafts have predicted the Giants will select former Ohio State quarterback Dwayne Haskins with the No. 6 pick in April's draft. The Giants also reportedly plans to meet with Heisman Trophy winner Kyler Murray at the combine. "I can't say anything like that (Manning is a starter). You don't know what's going to happen. You don't know. I just told you, we're evaluating everything. We just have to keep moving forward."

Manning was the No. 1 pick of the 2004 NFL Draft by the San Diego Chargers, who traded him to the Giants for Philip Rivers, the No. 4 overall selection, and three draft picks. In 2004, Manning was the rookie behind veteran starter Kurt Warner. He unseated Warner in Week 10 of that season and has started all but one game since.

Manning has started 230 of 232 games he's appeared in during his career. He has one year left on his contract, with a base salary of $11.5 million. He finished the 2018 season with 4,299 yards, 21 touchdowns, 11 interceptions and completed a career-best 66 per cent of his passes.