Eli Manning finally reveals why he wriggled his way out of playing for Chargers
Eli Manning revealed he avoided playing for the San Diego Chargers after witnessing internal conflict among team leadership during a pre-draft visit. He cited a lack of organizational commitment to winning, noting tension between the head coach, general manager, and owners. Manning was traded to the New York Giants, where he spent his entire career and won two Super Bowls.
- ▪Eli Manning was the first overall pick in the 2004 NFL Draft by the Chargers but was immediately traded to the Giants for Philip Rivers.
- ▪He described visible friction between Chargers head coach Marty Schottenheimer, GM A.J. Smith, and the Spanos family during a dinner at a Marriott in New Orleans.
- ▪Manning believed the Chargers lacked unity and commitment to building a winning franchise at the time.
- ▪He was drafted after the Chargers' 4-12 season and would have backed up Drew Brees and Doug Flutie.
- ▪Manning became a four-time Pro Bowler and two-time Super Bowl MVP with the Giants.
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New York Giants Eli Manning finally reveals why he wriggled his way out of playing for Chargers The two-time Super Bowl MVP described bickering between the head coach, GM and owners at a Marriott restaurant By Ryan Gaydos Fox News Published May 17, 2026 8:28am EDT Facebook Twitter Threads Flipboard Comments Print Email Add Fox News on Google close Video Eli Manning talks state of the Giants after John Harbaugh hire New York Giants legend Eli Manning shared his excitement about the team hiring John Harbaugh's in a recent interview with Fox News Digital. NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! Eli Manning famously worked his way out of a situation with the then-San Diego Chargers and found himself playing his entire NFL career with the New York Giants.
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