The New York Giants have endured a nightmare campaign which has led to speculation about Eli Manning being traded. However, that’s not realistic.
Let’s be blunt for a minute, shall we? The New York Giants 2017 season has been a complete and utter trainwreck. Eli Manning is 36 years old. Naturally, the trade winds have been gusting in full force since the Big Blue train went off the tracks.
However, the notion that Manning could be traded needs to be put to bed.
Several teams have been rumored, or rather, speculated, to have interest in the former two time Super Bowl MVP. One of those teams is Jacksonville, who seems to be a quarterback away from becoming a major contender in the AFC. A power run game, stout defense and leadership that stems from former Giants head coach Tom Coughlin had led the Jaguars back to relevance. Uniting Manning with his former coach is a nice storybook ending. It almost makes too much sense, right? Who says Jerry Reese is so easily open to dealing?
Another “rumor” most notably suggested by Deion Sanders involved the Broncos trading for Manning. Denver’s strong defense coupled with several playmakers on the opposite side of the ball is an intriguing situation for a quarterback of Manning’s caliber. Could he follow in his brother’s footsteps to lead the Broncos back to the promised land? Again, it’s a storybook ending that doesn’t actually have any real substance to it.
Denver still has plenty invested in former first-round pick Paxton Lynch as their future and Manning’s expensive, multi-year contract could handicap John Elway‘s long-term vision.
After Aaron Rodgers went down, speculation then began that Eli in Green Bay could save the Packers’ season. If the Packers have only appeared in one Super Bowl with one of the greatest signal callers ever to play, then how does adding Manning really improve their odds? No disrespect to Eli, but few can do what Rodgers does.
Additionally, is Manning expected to ride the bench for the next two years, making over $20 million per season, after Rodgers comes back? Lambeau leaps for Eli Manning are not on the horizon.
Most importantly, trading Manning would endanger alienating the fan base. Moving a franchise icon to another team signals an all on rebuild. His huge contract that spans two and a half more seasons isn’t exactly easy to move, either.
Do you think Odell Beckham Jr. wants to remain a Giant with a franchise that announced its intention to start fresh? Take your best guess.
The 2017 season has been highlighted by major injuries and a team that may have prematurely bought into their own hype. However, let’s not forget that this is largely the same squad that won 11 games just one season ago. The NFL is a league where parity runs wild from year to year, so there’s no reason to believe the Giants can’t compete in 2018.