It seems the New York Giants will retain Eli Manning as their starting quarterback through the 2020 NFL season.

The 38-year-old two-time Super Bowl MVP is set to return for his 16th NFL season. According to Giants co-owner John Mara, New York is on the lookout for Manning's potential successor in the upcoming 2019 NFL Draft.

However, Mara told SNY's Ralph Vacchiano (via Pro Football Talk's Michael David Smith) on March 24 the Giants won't force the issue.

I would like to come out of this draft with a quarterback, but here's the thing: show me what the grades are. What's the value? If the top quarterback are graded towards the bottom of the first round or even the second round, I'm not going to insist that we take one at No. 6 or even No. 17. Show me what the value is. That's always been our philosophy on that.

The worst thing you can do is try to force the issue and then you end up with a quarterback that isn't worth taking at the particular spot. Would we love to have a quarterback coming out of this draft? Yes, but only if we have a conviction about him. And we're not there yet. We're a long ways from making that determination.

Smith also cites a March 27 SNY report from Vacchiano which says the Giants “are not kidding about the thought of bringing back Eli Manning in 2020.”

The organization believes Manning still has a lot left in his tank.

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According to Vacchiano, the Giants loved Manning's second-half performance in 2018. The best-case scenario: They will draft his heir apparent in April to make the transition smoother.

In the absence of a good fit, New York will re-sign Manning for another year. His influence and veteran savvy should rub off nicely on his successor, per SNY.

Manning, who is also a four-time Pro Bowler, has thrown for 55,981 yards, 360 touchdowns, and 239 interceptions during his 15-year NFL career.

The 2019 NFL Draft will take place at Nissan Stadium in Nashville from April 25 to 27.