Eli Manning was at a Giants practice Wednesday, as he normally is. Although the two time Super Bowl MVP was not the spotlight as usual, he was the backup.

It was a surprising sight that few could imagine including Manning himself heading into this week.

Giants head coach Ben McAdoo shocked the NFL, announcing that Manning would not be starting in the game against the Raiders. Taking his spot would be Geno Smith at quarterback instead of the famous Manning.

The replacement would snap Manning’s streak of 210 consecutive regular season games. Manning’s streak is the second longest streak of consecutive games by a quarterback in the NFL behind Brett Favre who has a streak of 297 games.

“It’s hard,” Manning, who visibly was emotional, said to a CNN reporter Tuesday. “It’s been a hard day to handle this. But hang in there and figure it out.”

According to Manning McAdoo gave him the chance to start the game against the Raiders, although Smith and Webb would play the rest of the game. But Manning felt starting the game just to keep his streak going would be “pointless.”

Manning felt that it would be unfair to his teammates to not let them play the whole game especially for a “selfish” reason like keeping his streak alive.

Manning had started every Giants game since November 21, 2004, dating back to his rookie season, where he was the No. 1 overall pick in the draft  when he took over for Kurt Warner. He led the Giants to two Super Bowl titles, both against the Patriots.

The Giants are 2-9 this season. McAdoo cited being out of contention and evaluating his roster including at quarterback as the reason for the change. Manning, who has 14 touchdown passes to seven interceptions this season, will turn 37 on January 3.

So is this the end of Manning in a Giants uniform, asked a reporter?

“No,” McAdoo said, though his decision was questioned by current NFL players and alumni, who lit up social media reacting to the news.

Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers, who was traded for Manning on draft day in 2004, weighed in Wednesday.

“I honestly thought it was pathetic, really,” Rivers said to reporters. “He’s been out there 210 straight games, with no telling how many bumps and bruises and injuries for his team. He won two Super Bowl MVPs.

“And with the respect he’s had in the locker room over the years — really, the respect he’s gained throughout the league — you feel like the guy’s earned the opportunity.

“If they are deciding in fact to go another direction, I feel like he’s earned the opportunity to finish off these last five weeks.”