After a disappointing 2017 season, New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning faces major doubts as to whether he can still be a top QB at the age of 37. Eli’s brother, Peyton, faced similar doubts at that age after he missed a year due to neck surgery. Peyton silenced those doubts by putting up arguably the greatest ever season by an NFL quarterback.
Ei had the benefit of being there to see what Peyton did to keep playing at such a high level into his late 30s, and he presumably plans to apply his brother’s methods into his own game starting this season.
“I saw what he went through with that injury and how he changed his game a little bit at 37,” Manning said per Ryan Dunleavy of NJ.com. “He may not have been able to make all the throws that he used to be able to make at 25, but he still had one of his best years ever. He had a great supporting cast around him, played smart football, and worked extremely hard those offseasons to get his body ready and his arm ready.”
“You see that there doesn't have to be a drop-off in play-making ability and running an offense and winning football games,” Eli said. “You have to work extremely hard, but great things can happen.”
On paper, Eli will have the “great supporting cast” part of the equation with the Giants this season. He’s got the receivers in Odell Beckham Jr. and Sterling Shepard, both of whom he’s tipped for big years. He’s got the dynamic running back in rookie Saquon Barkley. And he’s got a retooled offensive line led by left tackle Nate Solder.
It remains to be seen whether Eli can make good on the “playing smart football” and “working extremely hard” parts as well as Peyton did. But if he can come anywhere close, he should end up having a strong year for a quarterback of any age.
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