Eli Manning’s storied NFL career has come to an end, and he wraps it up with a pretty stacked resume. In his trophy closet, Manning has two Super Bowl MVPs that will likely solidify his place in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, alongside his brother and 2021 nominee Peyton Manning.
While his career with the New York Giants clearly panned out pretty well, he was only there as the result of a VERY dramatic draft process.
Back in 2004, the then San Diego Chargers had the coveted 1st overall pick for the NFL Draft. They had their eyes set on Ole Miss product Eli Manning with that 1st overall selection, but an unforeseen snag surfaced. Manning didn’t want to go to San Diego, reportedly because of a conversation Eli’s father Archie had about quarterback Ryan Leaf’s experience with the team.
Manning claims that he attempted to inform the Chargers quietly that he would refuse to play for them if drafted, but the cat got out of the bag. In the end, Manning’s name was called and his face immediately went sour. This happened as a result of a deal in place with the Giants, in which they would trade Phillip Rivers (who was drafted 4th overall in 2004), along with draft picks (one of which turned into Shawn Merrimen).
Now, with Eli’s career all wrapped up, he finally revealed why he didn’t want to go to the Chargers. He claims that it wasn’t his father’s doing – as many believed –but that it was his choice all along. He also discussed the thought of “what could have been,” but he didn’t give much of an answer there.
Rivers and Manning both went on to have lengthy NFL careers, but in undoubtedly would have been a lot of fun to see how the quarterbacks would have fared had the trade never happened. Would Rivers had won a Super Bowl? Would the Chargers have?
We’ll never know!
(H/T 10 Questions with Kyle Brandt)
