New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning is finishing up his 16th NFL season and, with his contract running out, could be suiting up for the final time on Sunday against Philadelphia.
So, what’s next for Eli? You never know in this business, but it makes more sense for him to retire — go out on his own terms — than it does to keep playing in a foreign situation.
Sure, brother Peyton ended up winning a Super Bowl with a second team at the end of his career but Eli’s situation is different. Peyton was injured, missed an entire season and did not want his career to end because of injury. So, he found a new home and made history.
Eli does not have to do that. He’s never missed a game due to an injury and has collected every penny of his four contracts with the Giants estimated in the excess of $252 million. He’s set for this life and a hundred more lifetimes if he wanted.
Ralph Vacchiano of SNY.tv has been covering the Giants for nearly two decades and also co-wrote a book with Manning. Ralph believes Eli will likely retire than force himself into a situation that didn’t fit.
“It’s Daniel Jones’ ball now, and there’s no way Manning would want to return to stand on the sidelines and watch his successor. The Giants probably don’t want that either. Most likely, the Giants icon is going to retire. If not, he’ll have to find a new home.”
There’s not many teams that would pay him to play or sit at this point, so retirement could be his best option. He’s got his health, his dignity and his legacy both intact. Not many players can say that when exiting this game.
