New York Giants: Daniel Jones has one goal in his rookie season

New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning and Daniel Jones.
May 20, 2019; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants rookie quarterback Daniel Jones (8) watches Eli Manning (10) during organized team activities at Quest Diagnostic Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports

The 4th OTA practice for the New York Giants saw Eli Manning sail several passes into the bleachers with a relatively clean pocket, but this doesn’t indicate any sort of opportunity for rookie quarterback Daniel Jones to steal the starting job.

Manning is a seasoned veteran that understands the defensive concepts and progressions when in live-action, something Jones hasn’t experienced at the NFL level yet. Eli has 15 years under his belt. The reality is, Jones isn’t close to starting a game at the professional level, considering Manning’s presence and head coach Pat Shurmur’s confidence in the veteran passer.

The Giants’ 6th overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft as one goal in his rookie season — to learn as much as humanly possible from Manning.

Jones commented after practice on his progression and how he’s utilized Manning as a learning tool:

“Eli [Manning] has been very helpful for me. We have a great relationship and we have a great quarterback room.”

“It’s a daily process and I’m learning and trying to improve everyday…it’s been a good start and I’m enjoying it.”

Shurmur also comments on the rookie’s development:

“Daniel Jones is competing and getting better everyday…he’s here all the time just like all the other quarterbacks. He’s doing everything he can to get ready.”

Jones will battle Alex Tanney for the No. 2 quarterback spot on the roster this offseason, and he’s already earning reps with the 2nd team in just his fourth practice. Shurmur made it known that every player will have to earn their spot, except Manning, of course.

How will the New York Giants help Daniel Jones progress?

Moving forward, I expect to see a ton of side-by-side training for Manning and Jones. The coaching staff wants the two attached at the hip ultimately, that’s the best way to help groom the Duke product. Interestingly, both are very similar already. Just as Manning has serenaded the media for the last 15 years, Jones has a similar charm and wit to his public appearances.

He says the right things at the right times and stays away from the negativity, mostly present on social media. That’s what makes me think Dwayne Haskins might’ve imploded at the hands of the New York media. However, the Giants put all their chips in on Jones, a player that flashed plenty of potential on a team that lacked significant talent. Now, he’s preparing to sit quietly behind Manning for a year while he soaks in the ideal methods of preparation and success.