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NY Giants legend Eli Manning shares outstanding insight on his past, and present

By Danny Friedman

EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - SEPTEMBER 26: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Former New York Giant Eli Manning is honored at halftime of a game against the Atlanta Falcons at MetLife Stadium on September 26, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Falcons defeated the Giants 17-14. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - SEPTEMBER 26: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Former New York Giant Eli Manning is honored at halftime of a game against the Atlanta Falcons at MetLife Stadium on September 26, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Falcons defeated the Giants 17-14. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /
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NY Giants legend Eli Manning opens up about the “ManningCast” on Monday Night Football, and why he never wanted to play for the Chargers

Eli Manning is a busy man these days. It’s almost hard to stay up with his endless media appearances.

Since retiring, Eli has hosted ‘The Match’ Golf Tournament, he’s been on The Pat McAfee Show, he now hosts his own Giants TV show, he had his #10 jersey retired two weeks ago, and he’s now hosting Monday Night Football on ESPN with his big bro, Peyton.

Eli answered some questions for the Kyle Brandt podcast. He gave some unique insight on working with his brother, talking live for ESPN calling games, and why he didn’t want to be the San Diego Chargers’ quarterback in 2004.

Eli was asked what it’s been like doing the “Manning-cast” for Monday Night Football

"“It’s been fun. It’s very unscripted. It’s just two brothers hanging out, talking football and making fun of each other. It’s just kind of how Peyton and I would really watch a football game if we were sitting on the couch…those are kind of things we would say, we tease each other, and I think it’s playing well on TV.”"

Eli knows he isn’t the biggest talker and he acknowledges that. He knows when to speak, when it’s his time to take over, and when to crack some classic jokes.

"“Going in not always having tons of things to say, just relying on the game to produce a story, it’s going to produce something you can rewind back and will be interesting to the fans. You have some things prepared if it’s a slow game, but for the most part, it’s being willing to say something’s going to pop up, we’ll find something to talk about that’s interesting.”"

Manning also discussed his reasoning for not wanting to be a Charger.

"“It was my decision having talked with my agent, coaches, GMs, 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. It wasn’t my Dad. He was trying to take the heat off of me, he knew I was going to get criticized. After that, the Chargers turned it around, they got Shawne Merriman, then Drew Bress started playing great, then Philip (Rivers) started playing great, they went to AFC Championship Games, they’re making playoffs and turned things around.”"

In the end, Eli made the right decision. It worked out for the best for the Chargers, Eli, and the NY Giants all involved. Manning stuck to his beliefs and helped guide New York to two Super Bowl runs and 16 unforgettable seasons.

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