Eli Manning eager to help Giants in critical search for next QB

The Giants need to find a quarterback.If the best one in franchise history is asked, he will help in the search. “I like watching film,’’ Eli Manning said Thursday.

“If that’s something I’m wanted for, needed for, be happy to look at film and get involved in that part of it.’’Yes, Manning remains tied to the team he lined up for at quarterback for 16 years and led to two Super Bowl triumphs in what is loosely described as a “business operations and fan engagement’’ role.No, he does not delve into evaluating players or scouting or mentoring.But he knows more about the position than most, and it would be wise for general manager Joe Schoen and head coach Brian Daboll to, at the very least, run some ideas through one of the sharpest players to ever don a Giants uniform. Every now and then, there is an inquiry. “Yes, I mean a little bit, just over the years, just guys I’ve been around, whether it’s Jaxson Dart of Ole Miss or quarterbacks over the years who have been to the Manning Passing Academy,’’ Manning said.

“Just what kind of person they are, kind of more off-the-field stuff than maybe on the field.’’ The Giants own the No.3 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft and if Cam Ward or Shedeur Sanders is on the board, it will be difficult for the Giants to pass either of them up considering they have one quarterback under contract (exclusive rights free agent Tommy DeVito) for next season.

There is a glaring need for a starting quarterback, whether that player arrives via free agency or, preferably, in the draft. This situation arose for the Giants in 2004 when they swung a mega-deal to acquire Manning, who had been the No.1 overall pick that year by the Chargers.

How he fared as an NFL novice came up when Manning was in Manhattan to commemorate the one-year anniversary of Ten, a guide dog named for Manning, being paired with Thomas Panek, the CEO and President of Guiding Eyes for the Blind.Panek said he goes on marathon runs togeth...