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.

The post Eli Manning Reveals Why He Didn’t Want to Play for Chargers appeared first on SportzBonanza.

Former New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning still isn’t sure what he wants to do now that he’s retired from professional football. But he knows that he doesn’t want to coach in the NFL.

Manning announced his retirement at the end of 2019 season, walking away from football after he 16 seasons with the Giants. The 39-year-old then took a year off and is now in the process of figuring his next move.    

“I really wanted to try to take a year off and just try to gather my bearings and get settled with my family and figure out what I want to do in that next chapter,” said Manning during a recent conference call.

Manning’s next job won’t be on the NFL’s sidelines, however, as he doesn’t want to be an NFL coach.

“I know one thing: I don’t want to be an NFL coach. I’ve seen what our coaches do and the hours they put in, and I enjoy being with my family and enjoy coaching some of their sports teams,” he added.

Despite this, Manning hopes to stay involved in football in some capacity. This might include a position in the Giants’ front office, broadcasting, or “some coaching with a high school team.”

Eli Manning spent his entire career with New York Giants, delivering two Super Bowls to the franchise, including a win against undefeated New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLII. He is also four-times Pro Bowler and Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award winner.

Despite his success with the Giants, the end of Manning’s career was rather unceremonious. He was benched in Week 3 of the 2019 NFL season for rookie Daniel Jones and spent the majority of the year as a backup. Losing the starter spot reportedly prompted him to make the retirement decision. 

The post Former Giants QB Eli Manning: “I Don’t Want to Be an NFL Coach” appeared first on SportzBonanza.

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.

The post Eli Manning Reveals Why He Didn’t Want to Play for Chargers appeared first on SportzBonanza.

Former New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning still isn’t sure what he wants to do now that he’s retired from professional football. But he knows that he doesn’t want to coach in the NFL.

Manning announced his retirement at the end of 2019 season, walking away from football after he 16 seasons with the Giants. The 39-year-old then took a year off and is now in the process of figuring his next move.    

“I really wanted to try to take a year off and just try to gather my bearings and get settled with my family and figure out what I want to do in that next chapter,” said Manning during a recent conference call.

Manning’s next job won’t be on the NFL’s sidelines, however, as he doesn’t want to be an NFL coach.

“I know one thing: I don’t want to be an NFL coach. I’ve seen what our coaches do and the hours they put in, and I enjoy being with my family and enjoy coaching some of their sports teams,” he added.

Despite this, Manning hopes to stay involved in football in some capacity. This might include a position in the Giants’ front office, broadcasting, or “some coaching with a high school team.”

Eli Manning spent his entire career with New York Giants, delivering two Super Bowls to the franchise, including a win against undefeated New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLII. He is also four-times Pro Bowler and Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award winner.

Despite his success with the Giants, the end of Manning’s career was rather unceremonious. He was benched in Week 3 of the 2019 NFL season for rookie Daniel Jones and spent the majority of the year as a backup. Losing the starter spot reportedly prompted him to make the retirement decision. 

The post Former Giants QB Eli Manning: “I Don’t Want to Be an NFL Coach” appeared first on SportzBonanza.