Former New York Giants coach Tom Coughlin reached out to Eli Manning to see how he was doing after he was benched for Daniel Jones.
The benching of a franchise icon can always be emotional, as it’s an acknowledgment that an era of that team’s history is coming to an end. The New York Giants were forced to make that decision this week when they benched Eli Manning for Daniel Jones ahead of their Sunday matchup with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
While it is emotional, Manning said all the right things after the decision, stating his intention to help Jones prepare for his first start and to finish out the season with the team. Manning is a consummate professional despite an obviously trying emotional time.
One man who has plenty of experience with Manning’s professionalism is former head coach Tom Coughlin. The two became close during Coughlin’s 12 years in New York, and Coughlin reached out to Manning after his benching per Kimberly Jones of NFL Network.
Yes. Yes, I did. Thanks, @MikeGarafolo.
Those two, Coughlin and Manning = forever linked.#NYG https://t.co/SBrPalu6Hm— Kim Jones (@KimJonesSports) September 21, 2019
Jones, who first reported the news on the show Good Morning Football before confirming it on Twitter, said Coughlin texted his former quarterback to see how he was doing. The two have a long history; Coughlin coached Manning in his first 12 seasons, and they won two Super Bowls together.
Coughlin is currently the executive VP of football operations for the Jacksonville Jaguars, the team he coached for their first eight seasons in the NFL. There was some speculation that the team could have some interest in acquiring Manning with the injury to Nick Foles, but Manning has given no indication that he has any interest in waiving his no-trade clause.
The two collected a 97-86 record from when Manning took over for Kurt Warner through 2015 when Coughlin was let go by the team. They made the playoffs five times in 12 years, winning two Super Bowl rings.
It was a very classy move by Coughlin to reach out to his former player after an emotional week.
