When he steps on the field Sunday afternoon at AT&T Stadium — a football palace he christened 10 years ago with a Giants victory — Eli Manning will officially make history and spiritually morph into someone with a distinctly unique emotional sense.

He will become the most appreciative Giant.

The opener will make it 16 seasons for Manning, surpassing Phil Simms, Michael Strahan and Mel Hein for the longest duration in franchise history. There has been too much losing lately and now there is his replacement, Daniel Jones, on the roster and situated in the adjacent locker.

There was no guarantee, when last season ended, Manning would be here, gearing up for another shot at the Cowboys, but No. 10 will be in Arlington, Texas, once again responsible for the guidance and direction of an offense that just might be more conducive to helping a 38-year-old quarterback succeed.

“I guess it is something to be proud of,’’ Manning said Wednesday about his record-breaking 16th season in blue. “Just blessed to be with this organization. No one’s enjoyed playing for this organization more than I have and been appreciative of it, and I have a great respect and love for the Giants and the whole history of the organization.’’

This is established terrain for Manning, team-first all the way, a bastion of class the organization holds in such high regard that the search for his successor brought the Giants to Jones, a player and person 15 years younger than Manning, but nearly identical in many ways. Love and admiration are for the offseason, for contract talks and roster assembling. Once kickoff arrives and the tumult and shouting begins, it is time for action. Manning must find a way to get it done or else, before long, all the appreciation and good wishes in the world will not stave off the end of one stewardship and the beginning of another.

Manning took his familiar position in front of his locker, something he has done at mid-week for 15 years, patiently and with his detailed blandness answering question after question. The need to get off to a fast start. His improved offensive line. Combating the quickness of the Cowboys defense.

It is rare for Manning to hear a question he has never heard before. This is the first time there is another quarterback on the roster who will one day take Manning’s job. And so, this is the first time it was fitting to ask him if Jones being around serves to push him.

“I don’t think that’s necessarily the concern,’’ Manning said. “You’re pushed to go succeed always, because you prepare to go out there to go win football games. That’s the mindset. You want to it for all the guys in this locker room, and coaches and organization and fans and everybody that puts so much effort to having a great year. I think that’s what pushes you more than who else is on your team.’’

Who was on his team the past few years did not help Manning overcome his advancing age. If the offensive line is not noticeably improved, something went terribly wrong. The additions of veterans Kevin Zeitler and Mike Remmers solidify the right side, Nate Solder and Will Hernandez are another year more experienced working together on the left side, and Jon Halapio returns at center after missing the final 14 games last year following ankle surgery. Remmers did not practice Wednesday, but is expected to play this weekend.

“Well, we made progress from a year ago, and I’m looking forward to seeing those guys compete,’’ coach Pat Shurmur said. “I feel like we’re better up front as a unit, and now we just have to go do it. All this progress we’re talking about now. The rubber is going to hit the road here. We’ve got to go play.’’

Manning always heads into a season expressing confidence the big guys can keep him upright. Sometimes, that confidence is more wishful thinking. Not this time.

“I think the offensive line is strong,’’ Manning said. “That first year going into a new offense with a lot of new guys can take a little time for everybody to get on the same page.

“Unfortunately, sometimes you got to kinda have to have some mistakes before you fix ’em. Now it’s a more vet group and an experienced group and have played together, I think a lot of the questions have already been answered. I think they’ll go out and play well.’’

Manning would appreciate that, as well.