Eli Manning benched by New York Giants

The New York Giants have BENCHED long-time starter Eli Manning, according to an official announcement from the team. Geno Smith is set to start in the Giants’ game against the Oakland Raiders this weekend.

Wow.

I mean, it’s not like Manning is playing all that well for a 2-9 Giants team. He has 2,411 yards, 14 touchdowns, seven interceptions, and a 84.1 passer rating this season. It’s not totally crazy that the Giants would want to get a look at someone else now that they’ve been officially eliminated from the playoffs.

But ... Manning has started literally every game for the G-Men since Week 10 of his rookie season in 2004. They’re ending his start streak — SECOND LONGEST BY A QUARTERBACK IN NFL HISTORY — in favor of Geno Smith. They’re not even immediately going to 2017 third-round rookie Davis Webb, who at least theoretically has some upside.

We’ll see what happens this offseason, but this seems like a sign that Manning won’t be back with the G-Men in 2018. Crazy. End of an era.

The Philadelphia Eagles will play the Giants for the second time this season in a few weeks on December 17. Looks like Smith or Webb will be starting at that point.