NFL fans have been seeing New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning play for 13 years now. Fans have seen Manning play in 210 consecutive games, never seeing him not start the first drive for the Giants. Fans all across the league saw that trend come to an end Sunday, as the Giants choose to bench Manning in favor of Geno Smith against the Oakland Raiders. This decision received heavy backlash from current and former players, passionate fans of the Giants and fans across the league, raising questions about the right path the Giants should take if the end is near for Manning.

The way the Giants handled this situation was not popular within the NFL community, and it showed as Giants head coach Ben McAdoo and general manager Jerry Reese were both fired Monday. These decisions were almost inevitable, as the Giants currently have a record of 2-10 and are last place in their division. The irony here is that McAdoo made the decision to start the transition away from Eli Manning, starting a younger quarterback in Smith to assess the options at quarterback. Now, McAdoo is no longer the coach, and rumors are Manning will start against the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday, December 12. It is certainly a head scratcher, as now Manning’s elusive streak of 210 consecutive games started was broken for one game. The Giants have said they will look first for a general manager and then for a head coach, allowing for the executive business decisions to be decided before the on-field decisions.

Manning’s time in New York is coming to a close, whether it will be at the end of the season, in two seasons, or more. The only realistic destination for Manning if he does leave is the Jacksonville Jaguars. This is due to long time Giants coach Tom Coughlin being the Executive Vice President of Football Operations there. The Jaguars are currently trending in the right direction as an organization. Their young defense, skilled players and basic offensive scheme could benefit Manning exponentially. Along with being reunited by his 12 year coach Coughlin, the new setting in Jacksonville could breath new life into Manning’s 36 year-old legs. However, this is only speculation.

With Manning being only 36 years old, he has a good 4 years left in him, as quarterback playing ages are continuing to rise every year. The Giants showed a lack of respect for Manning. He brought them two Super Bowl titles, as well as a multitude of winning seasons and playoff victories. With the reputation he has earned for himself, Manning will have the power to determine where his future lies.