New York Giants head coach Pat Shurmur hails Eli Manning as 'outstanding'

Recently-appointed New York Giants head coach Pat Shurmur has backed Eli Manning after the quarterback's worst statistical season since 2013.

Manning threw for just 3,468 yards with 19 touchdowns and 13 interceptions, and with the Giants possessing the second pick in this year's NFL Draft, it could be an opportunity to recruit his eventual successor.

But Shurmur, who was given the Giants job on Tuesday, wants the 37-year-old to return for a 15th season.

"I watched Eli throw a little bit over the summer and I walked away saying he looked really, really good," Shurmur said. "He looked fit. He was throwing the ball well. The ball had good velocity coming off his hands.

"Again, I think he's got years left. How much? I don't know. But I think he has time left and I look forward to working with him.

"I think what's important is we have a guy here who has helped this organization win Super Bowls. He's an outstanding player and I'm really looking forward to working with him."

When asked about the team's draft strategy, Shurmur replied: "I'm not ducking that question. We've got to travel down that road and see what happens there."

Manning, who was benched with a month left in the season by previous coach Ben McAdoo, is looking forward to working with Shurmur.

He said: "[I'm] just excited to see how he calls games, how he looks at defenses, how he wants to pick them apart and just seeing his insight to that and learn from it.

"So we can see things the same way, have great communication and figure out how to score some points."