The Greatest Trade For Every NFL Team In History
By Erik Lambert
New York Giants: The Eli Manning trade
Much like the Elway trade for Denver, the New York Giants took advantage of a situation created by the quarterback waiting to be drafted. Ole Miss standout Eli Manning was the consensus top overall prospect in the 2004 draft but on advice from his father Archie made it clear he had no desire to play for the team that owned the #1 pick, the San Diego Chargers. It was never fully specified as to the reasoning for that, but most believe there was a concern that the Chargers franchise weren’t stable enough or committed to building a winner. Archie didn’t want the same fate for his son that had happened to him when he was a player in New Orleans.
Regardless, the Chargers selected Manning anyway. Like the Colts 21 years before it was believed they intended to hold onto his rights in hopes they might get another team to trade for him. GM Ernie Accorsi of the Giants knew his team needed a quarterback and had eyes for Eli. When San Diego called to gauge interest in a deal, he expressed interest. In order to make it happen they wanted a quarterback as well and were taken by N.C. State product Philip Rivers. So Accorsi drafted him with the #5 overall pick, then packaged him with a 3rd round pick and future 1st and 5th round picks in exchange for Manning.
New York got their franchise guy. Eli developed into one of the most clutch quarterbacks of the era, leading the Giants to Super Bowl championships in 2007 and 2011. He’s the all-time passing leader in team history with four Pro Bowls under his belt. When the dust has settled there is no doubt this will go down as their most meaningful trade.
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