Eli Manning is seeing a familiar kind of energy in Cam Skattebo. This week, the former New York Giants quarterback said Skattebo reminds him of Jeremy Shockey, explaining that both players are “a little off.”
The comparison matters because it connects a current Giants player to one of the more memorable personalities from the team’s championship-era history. It also comes after Skattebo has drawn attention for his individuality and enthusiasm, even as that same edge has made him a target of backlash over the last year.
What Manning said
Manning made the comments on Colin Cowherd’s podcast and framed Skattebo’s style in a way Giants fans will recognize from Shockey’s time in New York. “When he runs over somebody or you can see it in the fourth quarter [when] guys get tired of hitting him or being in there, like he’s not letting up,” Manning said. “So you got to know you better bring it against him.”
That is the basic idea behind the comparison. Shockey was known as a physical, high-energy presence, and Manning’s point was that Skattebo carries a similar edge. The phrase “a little off” was not used as a criticism so much as a description of a player who brings a different kind of intensity.
Skattebo’s start to the season
Skattebo backed up that reputation last Sunday, when he rushed for 81 yards and a touchdown on 18 carries. It came after he rushed for 98 yards in a victory over the Eagles in October 2025, another reminder that his style can translate into production when he gets downhill and stays involved.
The rookie’s opener also showed how the Giants may want to use him. With 18 carries and a score, he was able to make an immediate impact and give the offense a physical element. That fits with the broader view of Skattebo as a player who can wear teams down, especially late in games.
For the Giants, the comparison to Shockey is notable because it brings back memories of a past era while also offering a frame for what Skattebo might become. He does not need to be a carbon copy of Shockey to matter. He just needs to keep delivering the kind of effort that makes defenders feel him by the fourth quarter.
