Eli Manning opens up about return to Giants organization
Eli Manning is, among many things, a man of his word.
"Wellington Mara always said, 'Once a Giant, always a Giant,'" the former New York Giants quarterback stated during his January 2020 retirement speech. "For me, it's only a Giant."
Manning made that official by rejoining the organization in a front office role on Monday.
"I wanted to take a year off anyway," Manning told the team's official website. "That was the game plan to analyze what you want to do, analyze how busy you want to be, how involved you want to be—just to give the players a break, let the coaches have a fresh start and let Daniel Jones have his fresh start. But I was hoping there would be a spot back with the organization to do the things because of what it's meant to me."
The 40-year-old continued: "The Giants organization is what I know. Since I've been out of college, this is all I've done and all I've ever wanted to do was do well for the Giants and win games and represent the organization in a positive way, and hopefully I can continue to do that."
Manning spent his entire NFL playing career with the Giants. Initially drafted No. 1 overall by the then-San Diego Chargers in 2004, he was traded within the hour to New York in exchange for quarterback Philip Rivers. In the subsequent 16 seasons, Manning won two Super Bowl rings (2007, '11) and became the franchise's all-time leader in yards (57,023), passing touchdowns (366) and wins (117-117-0).
The Mississippi product's final season in 2019 only saw him play four games, as the team had begun shifting toward Jones — the 2019 sixth-overall selection out of Duke.
Jones suffered an ankle injury in Week 13, which gave Manning the opportunity for a curtain call in Week 15. The Giants defeated the Miami Dolphins 36-20, snapping a nine-game losing streak.
"I'm excited that I get to hold true that 'Once a Giant, only a Giant,'" Manning added. "I wanted to be back here with the organization. I had a little break; I think both sides needed a little parting. But I'm excited to team back up with the Giants and help out in any way they feel they need it."
The Giants will open their 2021 campaign when the Denver Broncos visit MetLife Stadium on Sept. 12.
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