Saquon Barkley doesn't want to hear anyone complaining about Eli Manning, either.
The Giants made a few controversial moves this offseason that has forced many to question if there really is a plan in East Rutherford. And while Landon Collins walked and Odell Beckham Jr. was surprisingly traded to the Browns, the team has shown continued faith in Manning.
Manning is no stranger to fans wanting him to call it quits, but Barkley is sick of hearing he can't play the game anymore. The rookie sensation didn't hold back when asked about it.
"Yeah it bothers me," Barkley told Bleacher Report's Taylor Rooks. "I'm not gonna lie because it's not his fault. He's not the reason why. We love to put the blame on one person, but it takes 11 men, a team, an organization all together to win."
Barkley's narrative is the same as GM Dave Gettleman's, who called the idea that Manning should hang up his cleats "a crock."
"I really believe there's been a false narrative out there that Eli's finished, he's done," Gettleman said on NFL Network last week. "He had a heck of a year. We scored a lot of points late."
Behind the Giants dysfunction once again in 2018, Manning did put up some good numbers. He totaled 4,299 yards, a 66 completion percentage, and 21 touchdowns to 11 interceptions. However, many still knocked his game saying he was checking down way too often.
But, with Barkley in the backfield, that would make sense for a Giants team that now revolves around the Penn State product with Beckham out the door. Barkely had 121 targets from Manning in 2018, hauling in 91 for 721 yards and four touchdowns. You can expect that workload to be the same, if not more through the air next season.
And while Barkely and Gettleman will continue to defend Manning, the Giants will certainly be looking for the his successor this offseason.
"Obviously he's 38 years old," Gettleman said. "Like Pat (Shurmur) says, he's closer to 40 than he is to 20. … The bottom line is, yes, we have to address it. It's reality, so when the time's right we will."