Hall of Fame quarterback Kurt Warner criticized the New York Giants for mishandling the end of the Eli Manning era, saying the team should be ashamed of themselves for replacing him as starting quarterback. Before he is replaced by Geno Smith this Sunday against the Oakland Raiders, Manning has not missed a game since 2004 when he replaced Warner as the Giants' starting quarterback. Since then, Manning played 210 consecutive regular-season games for the franchise, leading them to two Super Bowl wins in 2007 and 2011. Come Sunday, Manning’s streak will end as the second-longest in regular-season starts for a quarterback, behind Brett Favre’s 297.

The Giants made the quarterback change after dropping to 2-9 on the season.

Warner said Manning showed character

Despite the team’s struggles, Warner said Manning has shown character and did things the right way. The retired quarterback added that the organization should not put the blame solely on Manning. “To me it's amazing it has come to this for a guy who has really been a model for that organization. ... I'm just disappointed that it came to this,” said Warner, a former Super Bowl MVP.

Smith, who played previously for the New York Jets, will start while Davis Webb will back him up. In the offseason, Manning could follow the lead of his brother Peyton, who joined the Denver Broncos after he was released by the Indianapolis Colts.

Smith, for his part, was grateful for the chance to start again, but he stressed that Manning’s accomplishments for the Giants should not be forgotten. This season, the 36-year-old Manning completed 247-of-395 passes for 2,411 yards and 14 touchdowns, with seven picks. During his tenure with the Giants, Manning has thrown for 50,625 yards and 334 touchdowns, with 222 interceptions.

49ers to start Jimmy Garoppolo

The San Francisco 49ers announced that Jimmy Garoppolo will replace C.J. Boatyard as their starter when they take on the Chicago Bears on Sunday. According to Marc Sessler of NFL.com, 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan met with his quarterbacks and informed them of the change, which came days after their 24-13 loss to the Seattle Seahawks.

The 49ers (1-10) acquired Garoppolo from the New England Patriots for a 2018 second-round pick before last month’s trade deadline. Garoppolo made a brief appearance against the Seahawks after Beathard got injured late in the game, throwing for 18 yards and a touchdown.