Daniel Jones replaces Eli Manning as Giants’ starting QB

NEW YORK – And just like that, Eli Manning’s Giants have become Daniel Jones’ Giants.

The team announced on Tuesday morning that the rookie quarterback will start in place of Manning on Sunday in a Week 3 game against the Buccaneers in Tampa, Fla. It is a transition that seemed inevitable when they drafted Jones with the sixth overall pick in April, yet comes as a bit of a shock this early in the season.

But after two consecutive uninspiring losses, head coach Pat Shurmur said he made the decision in an effort to help the team win now.

“Ultimately, this is a move that I felt was best for this team at this time,” Shurmur said through the team’s website. “This move is more about Daniel moving forward than about Eli.”

Shurmur said on Monday that he was considering a change at quarterback and did not commit to Manning as his Week 3 starter. By Tuesday morning he’d made his decision.

“Eli and I spoke (Tuesday) morning,” Shurmur said. “I told him that we are making a change and going with Daniel as the starter. I also talked to Daniel. Eli was obviously disappointed, as you would expect, but he said he would be what he has always been, a good teammate, and continue to prepare to help this team win games. Daniel understands the challenge at hand, and he will be ready to play on Sunday.”

This will be only the second time since Manning first became the starting quarterback in 2004 that he will not start a regular-season game. He was benched for one game late in 2017 in favor of Geno Smith. That move ended a streak of 210 consecutive starts, created a public uproar, and led to the firing of head coach Ben Mcadoo and general manager Jerry Reese the day after the game. Manning was quickly reinstalled to start the final four games of that season, all 16 in 2018, and the first two this season.

This change likely will be more permanent. And, if Jones lives up to what the Giants believe he can be, it may save the jobs of the head coach and general manager rather than lead to their dismissal.

Jones, 22, looked more than competent in his extensive preseason action this summer. In four games, he completed 29 of 34 passes (85.3 percent) for 416 yards, two touchdowns, no interceptions and a glittering 137.2 rating.

In three seasons at Duke, Jones started all 36 games in which he played. He completed 764 of 1,275 passes (60 percent) for 8,201 yards, 52 touchdowns and 29 interceptions. He also had 406 rushing attempts for 1,323 yards (3.3-yard average.) and 17 touchdowns.