The New York Giants said goodbye to one of their franchise’s heroes recently. Legendary quarterback Eli Manning retired in 2020 after sixteen seasons in the NFL. Manning led the Giants to two Super Bowl victories during his career and never missed a game due to injury. He will go down as one of the greatest players to ever wear a Giants uniform. It was tough to say goodbye to this iconic player, but that goodbye could turn into a “see you soon.”
Eli Manning has expressed interest in returning to football. No, not as a quarterback, but in some other capacity. Giants co-owner John Mara also expressed interest in bringing Manning back into the organization to fulfill another role. But what would Eli Manning’s return to football look like?
Could Eli Become A Coach?
Eli Manning is interested in being a coach- not a football coach. Manning is interested in coaching his daughter’s third-grade basketball team. But what about coaching football? Eli does not have any interest in that, stating: “I learned I don’t want to be in coaching. I don’t like it. I don’t like doing that aspect.”
So that can be crossed off the list. Eli’s future role with the Giants will not be a coaching gig, barring anything unforeseen. I personally think Eli would make an excellent quarterback coach, but if that’s not what he wants to do then he shouldn’t do it.
If Not Coaching, Then What?
A far more likely role for Eli Manning places him in sports media. Eli’s role could one day be as a commentator for ESPN’s Monday Night Football alongside his brother Peyton Manning. But, even more likely than that, Eli could join Giants.com alongside former teammate Shaun O’Hara. The former Giants center, Shaun O’Hara, has stayed involved with the Giants on their website as a media personality.
How cool would it be to watch Manning and O’Hara team up again to break down some Giants film together? This would mean that Manning is again an employee of the New York Giants. Giants fans would love this, John Mara would love this, and Giants players would love this. Eli could interview the likes of Saquon Barkley and Sterling Shepard, his former teammates.
Eli Manning joining Twitter was an exciting moment for Giants fans. His return to football will be exciting too. Hopefully Manning joins the media next season and blesses us with plenty more hilarious, classic, Eli moments.