The New York Giants are sticking with quarterback Eli Manning in 2019 and potentially beyond, but the entire organization, from top to bottom, recognizes the need to find Manning’s eventually successor.

The Giants passed on that opportunity a year ago, instead selecting running back Saquon Barkley, but a similar decision will not be made here in 2019.

Although he wouldn’t guarantee where a quarterback would be picked, Giants co-owner John Mara told reporters at the NFL’s annual meeting in Arizona that quarterback will “definitely” be addressed this year.

“We are not going to get into, we like this player at number six (in the first round of the NFL Draft) and these two at number 17,” Mara said. “Yes, we are definitely going to address the quarterback in this draft. The plan is to build a team and make it better. I don’t know why that is such an issue with you guys or with fans. That is the plan.”

Previously, general manager Dave Gettleman has touted the “Kansas City model,” which saw Patrick Mahomes learn behind veteran Alex Smith before erupting onto the scene, and that’s something Mara would like to emulate.

“I think that would be a great scenario, if it happened,” Mara said. “I don’t want us to force a situation where if the value of quarterbacks is not there then don’t take one. If it is there, take one. It would be a great situation to have someone in place to sit behind Eli for some period of time and see how he prepares and what a professional he is. A young quarterback could only get better doing that.

“I would like to come out of this draft with a quarterback. Here is the thing. Show me what the grades are and what the value is. If the top QB’s are graded toward the bottom of the first round or in the second round, I am not going to insist that we take one at number six or number 17. Show me what the value is. That has always been our philosophy on that. The worst thing we can do is force the situation and you end up with a QB that is not worth that particular spot. Would we love to have a QB coming out of this draft, yes, but only if we have a conviction about it. We are not there yet. Until they bring these guys in, put them on the board, put the final grades up, we are a long way away from that.”

In the mean time, Mara says, the Giants will attempt to win while rebuilding and that will come on the shoulders of two-time Super Bowl MVP Eli Manning.