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It looks like the Eli Manning era in New York might be coming to an end. Today, Giants coach Ben McAdoo announced that he was benching the team’s longtime QB in favor of Geno Smith.
Via Giants.com
“Geno will start this week,” McAdoo said. “Over the last five games, we will take a look at Geno, and we will also give Davis an opportunity.”
Manning, who has started 210 consecutive regular-season games, seems to be taking the whole thing in stride and issued a classy statement in response to getting benched.
Coach McAdoo told me I could continue to start while Geno and Davis are given an opportunity to play,” Manning said. “My feeling is that if you are going to play the other guys, play them. Starting just to keep the streak going and knowing you won’t finish the game and have a chance to win it is pointless to me, and it tarnishes the streak. Like I always have, I will be ready to play if and when I am needed. I will help Geno and Davis prepare to play as well as they possibly can.”
Update: Eli spoke to the media and he was fighting back tears when asked if he thought his time with Giants was over.
Eli Manning fight back tears. Almost crying, tough to see #Giants pic.twitter.com/cHRTZYEXK4
— Pat Leonard (@PLeonardNYDN) November 28, 2017
Of course the Internet had jokes about Smith taking over the helm in New York.
THEY’RE GONNA END ELI’S STREAK FOR GENO SMITH AND I GUARANTEE ELI FINALLY CHANGED HIS FACE CUZ HOW COULD HE NOT.
— bomani (@bomani_jones) November 28, 2017
At least when the Undertaker had his streak end, it came at the hands of Brock Lesnar.
Geno Smith is no Brock Lesnar.
— Adam Rank (@adamrank) November 28, 2017
tfw they name Geno Smith the starter pic.twitter.com/cyIXTKzuaD
— Tom Fornelli (@TomFornelli) November 28, 2017
When you read Geno Smith is starting over Eli…. pic.twitter.com/0dbgeAYUyA
— Mikey V (@___MikeyV) November 28, 2017
When you get benched for Geno Smith pic.twitter.com/0djaNjjZRL
— Jake Montgomery (@JakeMontgomery_) November 28, 2017
https://twitter.com/bigshirley1979/status/935611199722532864
MCADOO BENCHED ELI MANNING FOR GENO SMITH pic.twitter.com/CpU4miAVg3
— Steve ∞ (@sdurso5) November 28, 2017
Geno Smith fucks everything up so I fully expect him to get like 3 wins and play the Giants right out of that #2 pick.
— 🐧✨America Is Musty✨🐧 (@DragonflyJonez) November 28, 2017
Giants: “We’re starting Geno Smith this weekend.”
Giants fans: pic.twitter.com/sjHkbXkLjL
— NOTSportsCenter (@NOTSportsCenter) November 28, 2017