Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Eli Manning
Discover the career path of Eli Manning, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.
Eli Manning is a former American football quarterback who played 16 seasons in the NFL, all with the New York Giants. The youngest son of Archie Manning and brother of Peyton Manning, he played college football at Ole Miss. He was drafted first overall in 2004 by the San Diego Chargers but was immediately traded to the Giants. With the Giants, Manning won two Super Bowl titles (XLII and XLVI), earning Super Bowl MVP honors in both games. He retired after the 2019 season, holding numerous Giants franchise records.
1971: First Ten-Win Season Since 1971
In 2003, Eli Manning helped lead Ole Miss to their first ten-win season since 1971.
1993: Manning named to first Pro Bowl
On December 16, Eli Manning was named to his first Pro Bowl, making him the first Giants quarterback to earn the honor since Phil Simms in 1993.
November 21, 2004: First Career Start and Touchdown
On November 21, 2004, Eli Manning made his first career regular-season start against the Atlanta Falcons, throwing his first career touchdown pass to Jeremy Shockey.
2004: Warner leaves Giants and Manning is named the starter
Following the 2004 season, Kurt Warner left the Giants, and Eli Manning was named the starter for 2005.
2004: Start with the Giants
In 2004, Eli Manning began his career as the starting quarterback for the New York Giants.
2004: 2004 NFL Draft Class
In 2004, Eli Manning was part of a quarterback class that included Philip Rivers and Ben Roethlisberger. All three would enjoy lengthy and successful careers.
2004: NFL Draft and Trade to Giants
In 2004, Eli Manning was selected first overall in the NFL draft by the San Diego Chargers but was then traded to the New York Giants.
2005: Trade Compensation
In 2005, the Giants traded a first-round pick and a fifth-round pick to the Chargers as part of the compensation for acquiring Eli Manning in the 2004 draft.
2005: Season Struggles
Manning's had passing struggles in 2005 with an efficiency rating of 77.0. He completed 57.7 percent of his passes, a five-point improvement from the previous season, but struggled in the second half of the season.
2005: Reminiscent Season
Manning's second full season was reminiscent of his 2005 season. He started off playing well and completed over 65 percent of his passes through the first four games
October 28, 2007: First Touchdown in London
On October 28, 2007, Manning scored the Giants' only touchdown on a 10-yard run in a game against the Miami Dolphins played at London's Wembley Stadium. This was the first touchdown in an NFL regular-season game played outside of North America.
2007: Campaign for Children's Clinics
In 2007, Eli Manning undertook a five-year campaign to raise US$2.5 million for the construction of "The Eli Manning Children's Clinics" at the University of Mississippi Medical Center's Blair E. Batson Hospital for Children.
2007: 2007 Season Start
Manning opened the 2007 season with an outstanding personal performance against the Dallas Cowboys, completing 28 of 41 passing attempts for 312 yards, four touchdowns, and an interception in New York's 45–35 loss.
2007: Training in Meadowlands
Prior to the 2007 regular season, Manning trained in the Meadowlands with offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride and new quarterbacks coach Chris Palmer.
January 13, 2008: Giants defeat Cowboys in Divisional Round
On January 13, 2008, Eli Manning led the Giants to an upset victory over the Dallas Cowboys in the Divisional Round. Manning completed 12 of 18 passes for 163 yards and two touchdowns, securing an NFC Championship berth.
January 20, 2008: Giants beat Packers in NFC Championship
On January 20, 2008, the Giants beat the Packers in overtime in the NFC Championship game, with a score of 23–20. This dramatic victory secured Eli Manning and the Giants a trip to Super Bowl XLII.
2008: Manning wins Super Bowl MVP and chooses Cadillac Escalade Hybrid
In 2008, Eli Manning was awarded a Cadillac Escalade Hybrid for winning the Super Bowl MVP award. He also appeared on the Late Show with David Letterman.
2008: Giants open the 2008 season with a win
In 2008, Manning and the Giants opened the season with a 16-7 win over the Washington Redskins. Manning completed 19 passes for 216 yards and had one rushing touchdown. Later in the season, the Giants defeated the Seattle Seahawks 44-6.
2008: Hosts Guiding Eyes for the Blind's Golf Classic
Since 2008, Eli Manning has been the host of Guiding Eyes for the Blind's Golf Classic, a charity golf event in Westchester County, New York.
August 5, 2009: Manning signs contract extension in 2009
On August 5, 2009, Eli Manning signed a six-year US$97.5 million contract extension with the Giants, securing his future with the team.
2009: Giants start season 3-0, Manning posts perfect passer rating
In 2009, Eli Manning and the Giants started the season with a 3–0 record. In Week 5, Manning posted a perfect passer rating for the first time in his career, during a 44–7 victory against the Oakland Raiders.
2009: Manning ends 2009 season with career highs
In 2009, Eli Manning ended the season with career highs, including 4,021 passing yards, 27 touchdowns, a 62.3 completion percentage rating, and a passer rating of 93.1.
2009: Co-Authored Children's Book
In 2009, Eli, Peyton, and Archie Manning co-authored a children's book entitled Family Huddle, which describes how the three Manning brothers played football as young boys.
2010: Manning throws career-high 31 touchdowns, but also career-high 25 interceptions
During the 2010 season, Eli Manning had 4,002 passing yards, and a career-high 31 touchdowns, but also a career-high 25 interceptions. The Giants ended the 2010 NFL season with a 10–6 record and did not make the playoffs.
2010: Funds for Oil Spill Awareness
In 2010, Eli Manning helped raise funds for awareness of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, in wake of the catastrophe.
2011: Giants reach Super Bowl XLVI
In 2011, Eli Manning led the Giants through the playoffs, defeating the Atlanta Falcons, Green Bay Packers, and San Francisco 49ers to secure a spot in Super Bowl XLVI. The Giants also made history as the first Super Bowl team ever outscored in the regular season.
2011: Giants win NFC East and earn playoff berth
In 2011, after a tough stretch, the Giants finished strong, winning three of their last four games, including a win over the New York Jets. Eli Manning threw for 346 yards and three touchdowns in the final regular-season game against the Dallas Cowboys, giving the Giants the win, the NFC East title, and a playoff berth.
2012: Manning throws career-high five touchdowns in final game
In 2012, Eli Manning threw a career-high five touchdown passes in a 42–7 Giants win over the Philadelphia Eagles, ending the season with 26 touchdown passes, 15 interceptions and 3,948 passing yards.
2012: Manning and Giants receive victory parade after Super Bowl win
In 2012, following their Super Bowl victory, Eli Manning and the Giants received a victory parade in Manhattan and were honored with symbolic keys to the city.
2013: Manning sets franchise record for most passing yards in season opener
In 2013, Eli Manning set a franchise record for most passing yards in a season opener with 450 yards. He also threw a career-high five interceptions in a game against the Seattle Seahawks. Manning ended the season with a career-high 27 interceptions.
2015: Career Highs in 2015 Season
In the 2015 season, Eli Manning achieved career highs in touchdown passes with 35, completions with 387, attempts with 618, and a passer rating of 93.6. His 35 touchdowns were just one shy of tying the franchise record and he also threw for 4,432 yards, the second most in his career.
January 22, 2016: Selected to Fourth Pro Bowl
On January 22, 2016, Eli Manning was selected to his fourth career Pro Bowl, replacing Ben Roethlisberger. This selection tied Fran Tarkenton for the most Pro Bowl selections by a New York Giants quarterback in franchise history.
2016: Reaching 302 Career Touchdown Passes
During the 2016 season, in a victory over the Baltimore Ravens, Eli Manning threw for three touchdowns, bringing his career total to 302 touchdown passes and surpassing John Elway for seventh all-time.
2016: BTIG Commissions for Charity Day
In 2016, Eli Manning participated in the 14th Annual BTIG Commissions for Charity Day, which was a fundraiser for hundreds of charities.
February 4, 2017: Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award
On February 4, 2017, Eli Manning and Larry Fitzgerald were co-winners of the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award. This marked the first time since the 2006 season that the award was shared by two players.
2017: Benched During 2017 Season
During the 2017 season, after a 2-9 start, Eli Manning was benched and replaced by Geno Smith, ending his streak of 210 consecutive regular-season games started. He was later renamed the starter after the head coach was fired. Also, during Week 9 of the same year, he became the seventh quarterback to reach 50,000 passing yards.
2017: End of Consecutive Starts Streak
In 2017, Eli Manning's streak of 210 consecutive starts, which began in 2004, came to an end. It was the third-longest consecutive starts streak by an NFL quarterback.
2018: 2018 Season Statistics
In the 2018 season, Eli Manning passed for 4,299 yards, 21 touchdowns and 11 interceptions, as the Giants finished 5-11 and last in the NFC East.
September 17, 2019: Manning to not start Week 3 game
On September 17, 2019, the Giants announced that Eli Manning would not start the team's Week 3 game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, opting for Daniel Jones instead. This was thought to be the end of Manning's time as the Giants' starting quarterback.
2019: End with the Giants
In 2019, Eli Manning's tenure as the starting quarterback for the New York Giants came to an end.
2019: Drafted Daniel Jones
In 2019, the Giants drafted Daniel Jones in the first round, a move seen as selecting Eli Manning's successor, adding uncertainty to Manning's future as the team's quarterback.
2021: The Eli Manning Show
In 2021, Eli Manning began hosting "The Eli Manning Show" on the New York Giant's YouTube channel, which featured interviews with celebrity guests.
2021: Joins ESPN as NFL Analyst
In 2021, Eli Manning joined ESPN as an NFL analyst, co-hosting the "Manningcast" alongside his brother Peyton, which features celebrity guests and commentary during games. In addition, he started hosting "Eli's Places" for ESPN+.
