As ESPN's Jordan Raanan and Dan Graziano first reported,
Eli Manning is retiring after 16 seasons and two Super Bowl MVPs.
The Giants subsequently confirmed the news.
"One of the best, most popular and most decorated players in Giants history, Manning, a two-time Super Bowl winner and most valuable player, will announce his retirement Friday, ending a 16-year career spent entirely with the team he joined in a draft-day trade in 2004," the team said in a release.
Manning, 39, steps away holding almost every passing record in team history as well as that pair of Super Bowl rings. His victories over the New England Patriots during the 2007 and '11 seasons are the most iconic moments from a legendary career.
Manning is one of just five players in NFL history with at least two Super Bowl MVPs. He's in an elite club with Joe Montana, Bart Starr,
Tom Brady and Terry Bradshaw.
"For 16 seasons,
Eli Manning defined what it is to be a New York Giant both on and off the field," said John Mara, the Giants' president and chief executive officer. "Eli is our only two-time Super Bowl MVP and one of the very best players in our franchise's history. He represented our franchise as a consummate professional with dignity and accountability. It meant something to Eli to be the Giants quarterback, and it meant even more to us. We are beyond grateful for his contributions to our organization and look forward to celebrating his induction into the Giants Ring of Honor in the near future."
"We are proud to have called
Eli Manning our quarterback for so many years," said Steve Tisch, Giants chairman and executive vice president. "Eli was driven to always do what was best for the team. Eli leaves a timeless legacy with two Super Bowl titles on the field and his philanthropic work off the field, which has inspired and impacted so many people. We are sincerely thankful for everything Eli has given our team and community. He will always be a Giant among Giants."
Manning's decision to call it a career comes after a season where Manning spent most of his time as the backup to rookie
Daniel Jones. He made it clear after the season that being a backup wasn't much fun and there wasn't an interest in returning in a similar role, even if Giants owner John Mara left the door open for it to happen. Mara also said it was possible Manning could return to the organization in another role if he decided to retire.
The Giants turned to Jones after Week 2 this season, and Manning started a total of three games, the lowest total since his rookie season. He won his final start as a Giant against the Miami Dolphins and given a proper sendoff as he jogged off the field and into the arms of his wife and four children at MetLife Stadium.
Manning was set to become a free agent this offseason. He has made more than $250 million from his football contracts.
As Profootballtalk.com's Charean Williams noted, if this is it, Manning ends his 16-year career with a 117-117 record, two Super Bowl rings, 57,023 passing yards and 366 touchdowns.
Williams went on to suggest Manning’s career will create an interesting Hall of Fame debate as he made only four Pro Bowls and was never an All-Pro but twice was named Super Bowl MVP.
Manning’s career marks
rank seventh in NFL history in passing yards, seventh in touchdowns, seventh in completions (4,895), sixth in attempts (8,119), 45th in passer rating (84.1) and 12th in interceptions (244).
