By Rory Robinson
NFL legend Eli Manning finally explained in 2021 why he refused to play for the team that first drafted him, breaking his silence after 17 years. The 2004 NFL Draft, in which Manning was the headliner, is often hailed as one of the greatest quarterback drafts in the history of the league.
The upcoming 2024 NFL Draft, set to take place in Detroit from Thursday, April 25, to Saturday, April 27, has fans buzzing with similar anticipation. Many are speculating that USC quarterback Caleb Williams could be chosen as the No. 1 pick by the Chicago Bears.
This speculation has stirred up memories of Manning's own draft drama back in 2004. Despite telling the team not to, the Chargers selected Manning and later traded him to the New York Giants in exchange for Philip Rivers and draft picks.
Manning then signed a six-year contract worth $45 million with the Giants, where he spent his entire career. During a 2021 interview on NFL Network's Kyle Brandt's podcast, the ex-New York QB confessed that the decision to refuse the Chargers was his own.
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At the time, many believed it was a choice influenced by Eli's father, Archie, the No. 2 pick in the 1971 NFL Draft. But the Giants icon claimed otherwise.
"It was my decision after talking 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," he continued. 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 Brees started playing great, then Philip [Rivers] started playing great, they went to AFC Championship games, they're making playoffs and turned things around."
During the 2003 NFL season, the Marty Schottenheimer-led Chargers struggled to find success, finishing with a 4-12 record during his second season under the helm. They suffered notable losses to the Baltimore Ravens, where Drew Brees threw three interceptions and zero touchdowns, the Denver Broncos, and the Cincinnati Bengals.
In 2003, the Chargers' offence was led by Brees, who threw for 2,108 yards and 11 touchdowns, alongside running back LaDainian Tomlinson, who amassed 1,645 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns. The team boasted star quality on defence with players like Marcellus Wiley, now an analyst, and Donnie Edwards. However, they struggled to halt opposing offences, conceding the second-highest points per game.
The 2004 NFL Draft was notable for its depth in quarterbacks, featuring not only Manning and Rivers but also Ben Roethlisberger, picked at No. 11, and Matt Schaub in the third round.
Manning, as part of the Giants, went on to clinch two Super Bowls, bagging game MVPs, and earned four Pro Bowl selections.
* An AItool was used to add an extra layer to the editing process for this story.
