NFL players show support for Eli Manning after Giants’ surprise decision to start Geno Smith

Eli Manning fought back tears as he talked to the media about his time as the Giants’ starting quarterback coming to an end. Around the NFL and the internet, Manning’s teammates, peers, and the media reacted to the surprise news that Geno Smith is taking over.

Smith said he told Manning he has a ton of respect for him.

“I’ve said that all along, man. This guy has done a tremendous job in this league, done a bunch of things for this organization. None of that can ever be taken away or forgotten,” Smith said.

Head coach Ben McAdoo said that rookie Davis Webb will also get some playing time over the next few weeks as the team evaluates its future at the quarterback position.

Webb said Manning is the best teammate that he’s ever had.

“He’s been the face of this franchise. If you had a Mount Rushmore of not only New York Giants, but New York athletes, he’d be on it,” Webb said.

Former Giants, other NFL players, and members of the media all weighed in on the end of the Eli era in New York.

Retired defensive end Osi Umenyiora felt the team owed Manning more than this.

Justin Tuck, who played defensive end for the Giants, got his point across with all caps.

Former running back Brandon Jacobs reminisced about the two championships he and the Giants won with Manning.

Former wideout Plaxico Burress, who played with Manning from 2005 through 2008, was shocked.

Shaun O’Hara was Manning’s center from 2004 through 2010. He busted out some mad face emojis.

Former Giants offensive lineman David Diehl could barely find the words.

Eli’s former backup, David Carr, didn’t pull punches.

And retired offensive lineman Geoff Schwartz called the move “insulting.”

It’s not so much that the team is moving on from Manning. It’s the way they’re doing it.

Michael Strahan got right to the point.

Manning’s former coach, Tom Coughlin, shared his thoughts on the radio.

Phil Simms, also a two-time Super Bowl champion as the Giants’ quarterback from 1979 to 1993, said Manning should be proud of his time in New York.

Former linebacker London Fletcher said the team’s approach is disrespectful.

And former cornerback Ike Taylor had some solid advice for Manning.

Mike Florio at Pro Football Talk thinks that if the Giants aren’t going to let Eli play there, they shouldn’t keep him from playing anywhere.

Former Rams and Cardinals quarterback and current analyst Kurt Warner had plenty to say on NFL Network. The gist of it was, “Shame on the Giants.”

WFAN’s Mike Francesca was furious.

Ed Valentine of Big Blue View, SB Nation’s Giants site, said that Ben McAdoo and Jerry Reese “should be ashamed of themselves.”

Earlier on Tuesday, I put the blame for Manning’s career not featuring more wins — especially postseason ones — at the feet of Reese, the GM who has picked the players while the Giants have staggered to a 41-50 record and one playoff appearance in six years.

It is incomprehensible to me that this coach and GM, who are the ones responsible for this mess and who should both be gone when this season ends, were allowed by ownership to make the decision to bench the best quarterback the franchise ever had.

The Giants face the Raiders this week, and Silver and Black Pride’s Ryan Lipton thinks Oakland fans should be happy about the switch.

Today New York Giants announced they will bench Eli Manning in favor of Geno Smith next Sunday against the Raiders.

The quarterback switch might be more monumental than you think as Manning’s two wins this season have come against the AFC West (Denver and Kansas City). With Oakland’s pass defense, there is no such thing as a safe-bet against any quarterback, especially one with the skill set of Manning.

Despite it being 24 hours after Michael Crabtree got hit with a brutal two-game suspension, the Raider faithful should be celebrating because of this quarterback change as every game is a must-win from here on out.

We’ll update with more reactions as people continue to talk about the way the Giants handled this situation with Manning.