'VALUED' ASSET
After this dismal season, Giants co-owner John Mara met with his franchise quarterback, Eli Manning, and without offering any promises, made it clear no one was about to show Manning the exit door.
“I told him how much he means to us and how we believe he can still play,’’ Mara told The Post Friday, the day Pat Shurmur was introduced as the new Giants head coach. “I didn’t make any commitment to how long his future was going to be, I don’t think anybody knows that. But I think he knows how valued he is here.
“His response to me was that he wants to be here, he believes he can still play. He said all he’s ever wanted to do was be the quarterback of the New York Giants. That certainly resonated with me.”
Manning’s return for a 15th season is resonating with everyone in the building. During Shurmur’s Jan. 6 interview for the job, one of the first questions was about Manning and there was no hesitation.
“He was excited to get to work with him, he believes he can still play,’’ Mara said.
Shurmur, 52, does not know the 37-year-old Manning very well. They spent some time together last summer at the Manning Passing Academy in Louisville, as Shurmur was in attendance with his son, Kyle, the starting quarterback at Vanderbilt. As a longtime quarterback coach and offensive coordinator, Shurmur could not help but take a look at Manning and study him.
“I watched Eli throw a little bit this summer, and I walked away saying, ‘He looked really, really good,’ ’’ Shurmur said. “He looked fit. He was throwing the ball well. The ball had good velocity coming off his hand. And again, I think he’s got years left. How much, I don’t know. But I think he has time left, and I look forward to working with him.’’
It is notable — and not surprising — Shurmur already has reached out to Manning with a phone call. Let the bonding begin.
“Well, first off, I think the relationship is going to be very strong,’’ Shurmur said. “I’ve watched him, competed against him, admired how he’s played over the years. He’s an outstanding football player, and I can’t wait to get to work with him. I’ve admired the way he’s handled things. I sort of like a calm approach to the position.’’
Manning went 3-12 as a starter this season, with his starting streak ended at 210 consecutive games with the ill-fated move to Geno Smith for the Dec. 3 loss in Oakland — head coach Ben McAdoo and general manager Jerry Reese were fired the next day. Despite all the support for Manning, the Giants have in no way dismissed taking a quarterback with the No. 2 pick in the NFL Draft.
“I’m not ducking that question,’’ Shurmur said. “I think that we’ve got to travel down that road of evaluation to see what happens there. But I think what’s important is we have a guy here that’s helped this organization win Super Bowls. He’s an outstanding player, and I’m really looking forward to working with him.’’
Mara in his meeting did not ask Manning if he was fine with the Giants taking his possible successor with the No. 2 pick. That question was asked to Manning by Dave Gettleman, the new general manager.
“That was part of the discussion that Dave had with him, yes,’’ Mara said. “Yes, he’d be OK with that. He’s a competitor and a professional. I don’t think that’s going to faze him in the least.’’ paul.schwartz@nypost.com