New York Giants: Eli Manning’s no-trade clause should silence rumors
By Zac Wassink
New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning is playing under a no-trade clause, which should silence any rumors that he’d embrace an exit this fall.
New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning is playing underneath a no-trade clause. Bob Glauber of Newsday touched upon the subject in Sept. 2015, and the phrase “Full no trade clause” exists on the Spotrac page for Manning’s current deal. A logical person would, thus, conclude the 36-year old has no desire to play for any other club before he rides off into the sunset and calls time on his career.
We, of course, don’t live in a logical world. This plane of existence is one built upon hot takes, speculation plucked from the sky, and rumors about trades that would probably be vetoed in editions of Madden, but are nevertheless mentioned by analysts, observers and fans. After the Giants dropped five-straight games, some out there dared to wonder if Big Blue would ship Manning out of town and immediately begin a new era en route to drafting a top-tier prospect next spring.
Ignore, for a moment, that such a massive in-season trade just about never happens in the modern era. Of course teams such as the Jacksonville Jaguars, Miami Dolphins, Green Bay Packers, Chicago Bears and even the New York Jets would improve by adding Manning before the trade deadline passes, but expecting any veteran quarterback to walk into a locker room midseason and learn the offense so quickly that he’s able to carry that franchise to a title is like hoping the 2017 Cleveland Browns are on the verge of righting the ship. It could happen, but don’t hold your breath.
As Paul Schwartz of the New York Post explained, Manning spoke about trade rumors during his weekly segment with WFAN’s Mike Francesa on Monday. “I got one job and that’s playing quarterback for the New York Giants,” Manning emphatically stated during the closing seconds of the interview, seemingly slamming the door on any possibility he’d welcome a trade this month or at any point down the road:
Devil’s advocate explanations for why Manning would accept a trade are easy to produce. Even a victory over the Denver Broncos on Sunday Night Football doesn’t erase the fact the Giants are 1-5 and in need of what could be a historic win streak to even compete for a playoff spot. Wide receivers Odell Beckham Jr. and Brandon Marshall were lost for the season before Week 6. New York’s offensive line performed admirably versus Denver, but that unit remains a liability.
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The harsh reality staring many, including those running the Giants, in the face is that what was advertised to be a championship-caliber squad probably isn’t playing meaningful football during the upcoming holiday season. While much can and will change between now and Manning’s final game with the Giants, it sure appears, as of the middle of October, the franchise needs to begin planning for life without its current signal-caller.
All of that is well and good, but examine the entire picture before envisioning Manning wearing a different jersey. The veteran who has started for the Giants since 2004 doesn’t need to chase rings. He’s a two-time Super Bowl champion and a two-time Super Bowl MVP. His spot in the Giants’ Ring of Honor is guaranteed. He’s the greatest quarterback in franchise history, and there should be no arguments about his candidacy for the Hall of Fame.
Manning is a married father of three who is settled in the New York/New Jersey region. He’s proven, in the past, he is willing to renegotiate contracts to offer salary-cap assistance and show loyalty to the Giants. His legacy is cemented, regardless of what critics who routinely and unfairly compare him to his brother, Peyton Manning, would say about the matter. In short, Eli deserves to end his stint with the Giants on his own time.
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The contract particulars posted by Spotrac show Manning’s deal carries a dead-cap value of $12.4 million for 2018, meaning the team cannot realistically release him until after next season. Such a conversation could be worth having come January 2019. For now, however, the Giants owe it to Manning to publicly put any and all trade rumors to bed. Besides, Manning has a no-trade clause. Unless the previously mentioned Peyton becomes a team president before next summer, expect Eli to stay put.