Say what you want about where Eli Manning’s career has gone over the past few years, he does have trade value for the New York Giants after rookie Daniel Jones was named the team’s starter going into Week 3.
The biggest roadblock in any potential Manning trade is that he has a no-trade clause, thus the 38-year-old would have to sign off on any deal the Giants want to pull the trigger on.
If Manning wants to be dealt — something that seems unlikely — the Giants would likely oblige. In return for Manning, the Giants could net themselves a late-round pick in what otherwise would be a total loss with Manning assured not to return next season.
We can assume, should this situation play itself, that Manning would like to be traded to a situation in which he can actually play, and that situation would also have to be with a chance to win. Manning is not going to play what could be the last 14 games of his career for a bottom-feeder.
Let’s take a look at some potential destinations for Manning should the Giants trade their future Hall of Fame signal-caller.
Pittsburgh Steelers
After an 0-2 start and a season-ending injury to Ben Roethlisberger, the Steelers have to decide if Mason Rudolph is actually the guy to turn that ship around and get this flailing team to the playoffs. In the short time we’ve watched him, it doesn’t look like it.
If the Steelers want a chance to make a postseason run in 2019 without making any kind of long-term commitment, Manning is their best shot to do so.
Roethlisberger has already vowed he will return in 2020, so getting Manning on the last year of his deal would make sense for head coach Mike Tomlin’s team, who is searching for answers at this point.
New Orleans Saints
Another team dealing with a serious injury to their quarterback, the Saints will be without Drew Brees for at least six weeks. While the Saints do have a talented group over there, the backup quarterbacks don’t breed much hope for this offense.
The problem with this situation is that once Brees returns, Manning will instantly be relegated to the bench once again. He’d have to decide if that’s what he wants, although Manning would have a great shot at a third ring as the eventual backup.
And, of course, the nostalgia of having another Manning (Eli’s dad Archie played for New Orleans) would be a big storyline. Perhaps Eli doesn’t want that attention, though.
Indianapolis Colts
The retirement of Andrew Luck left the Colts scrambling, and all that’s left behind center now is Jacoby Brissett. I’m sorry, I know the media love affair with Brissett, but for the first two games of the season he has looked like the career backup many of us think he is.
If Manning were to go to Indy, he would do so in the shadow of his brother, Peyton. At this point in his career that might not matter. The Colts are 1-1 and tied for first place in the AFC South, and Indy has loads of talent on both sides of the ball.
The problem here is that the Colts just gave Brissett a two-year extension. Regardless, Frank Reich and Co. might be interested in bringing in a more experienced quarterback who has actually done something in this league for a team that is ready to win now.
Chicago Bears
If there’s one thing the Bears haven’t had through two games, it’s competent quarterback play. Mitch Trubisky looks to be taking a step back after a solid sophomore campaign, and he could hold back what looks to be a championship-caliber defense.
There could be a split in Chicago on Trubisky. Head coach Matt Nagy wasn’t the lead man when he was drafted, but general manager Ryan Pace was involved in the decision to take the North Carolina product No. 2 overall in 2017.
If Trubisky’s poor play continues, the Bears would be wise to seek alternatives, and Manning is the experienced vet that Chicago could bring in to attempt to secure the most important position on the football field.
Jacksonville Jaguars
One place Manning will always be linked to is with the Jaguars, as his former head coach, Tom Coughlin, is the executive vice president of football operations there.
On top of that, the Jags are another team that has lost its starting quarterback, with Nick Foles suffering a broken clavicle that has him on Injured Reserve and will keep him out until at least Week 11.
That destination might have been shot down already, though, as Matt Lombardo of NJ Advance Media reports the Jags have no interest in Manning.
That might end up being the case, but ruling out the kind of connection Coughlin and Manning have that could lead to a possible reunion anyway would be short-sighted at this early stage.
