Eli Manning is handling his benching like Eli Manning.
The Giants’ new backup quarterback spoke for the first time Wednesday since coach Pat Shurmur announced rookie Daniel Jones would start Sunday’s game against the Buccaneers. The 16-year veteran, who had started 232 of the Giants’ last 233 games, put a brave face on the demotion.
“I’m not dying and the season’s not over,” Manning said. “There’s a lot to be positive about and a lot to be grateful for. I just gotta accept my new role and make the best of it.”
Manning said he was “disappointed” and “not happy” about the decision, but realized a day like this might be coming after the Giants drafted Jones with the No. 6 pick in April.
“I knew what I signed up for,” said Manning, whom the Giants are paying $17 million this season for two starts and now his tutelage of Jones.
Manning did not want to talk about whether he felt misled by the Giants, given how everything played out. Asked if he wanted to stay with the Giants or if he had given any thought to waiving his no-trade clause, Manning deferred.
“I’m just taking this day by day,” he said. “Just trying to figure out how to run a scout team. That was the No. 1 objective of today.”