The two-time Super Bowl-winning quarterback Eli Manning finally decided to shed some light on his infamous decision to refuse to play for the Chargers despite being drafted by the franchise with the first overall pick in 2004.
During his appearance on the 10 Questions with Kyle Brand podcast earlier this week, Manning revealed that he had reservations about the Chargers organization, then located in San Diego, and believed they wouldn’t be a great place for a young QB.
“It was my decision having talked with my agent, coaches, [general managers] and owners,” Manning said. “Going through the draft process, I was just worried about the Chargers organization at the time. I felt it was the right decision, and I had a little pull. I quietly tried to say ‘Hey, please don’t draft me, it can be our secret,’ and they didn’t keep the secret part very well.”
After successful four seasons of college football with Ole Miss, Eli Manning entered the 2004 NFL Draft and was immediately the favorite to be first on the board. But Manning actively tried to avoid this honor as it would mean he would play for the Chargers. He even openly told the franchise not to draft him and was reportedly ready to sit out an entire season if that happens.
The Chargers had a bad rep at the time, having first failed to develop Ryan Leaf, who was taken second in the 1998 draft, and then almost ruining the career of Drew Brees.
The Chargers drafted Manning regardless but ended up trading him to the New York Giants in exchange for Phillip Rivers (selected three spots behind Manning) and picks. The rest is history, as Manning won two Super Bowls and was named Super Bowl MVP in both, while Chargers got a Hall of Fame quarterback in Rivers but never managed to go all the way.
