ELI MANNING decided he will start and end his career as a New York Giant.

Manning was facing an uncertain future in the U.S. National Football League (NFL), but he has decided he’s not continuing his career with another team. The Giants announced Wednesday afternoon that Manning will retire.

Manning will hold a news conference Friday, sources told Dan Graziano and Jordan Raanan of ESPN.com.

With that, a long and successful career ends. And a heated Pro Football Hall of Fame debate officially starts.

Manning was the first overall pick of the 2004 draft. He didn’t want to play for the San Diego Chargers, and the Giants traded for him. He became a Giants legend.

Manning will be best known for two playoff runs. At the end of the 2007 and 2011 seasons he led the Giants to the Super Bowl, where they beat the New England Patriots. Manning won Super Bowl MVP both times. The Giants’ defeat of the undefeated Patriots in Super Bowl XLII was a historic upset, best remembered for Manning escaping the Patriots’ rush and hitting David Tyree downfield for what will forever be known as “The Helmet Catch.”

Manning ranks seventh all time in passing yards and passing touchdowns. Most quarterbacks who finish that high on the all-time lists and also have two rings would be considered easy picks for the Hall of Fame. But the Manning debate has been going on for years and will continue for at least five more.

Manning was never an NFL MVP or even a strong contender for the award. He made four Pro Bowls in 16 NFL seasons. His critics will say he was a good quarterback who got hot for two postseasons, and that shouldn’t be enough to make the HOF.

He wasn’t likely to add too much to his resume. Manning’s play had slipped in his late 30s. He lost his job in 2019 to rookie Daniel Jones. Manning’s contract was up, and he could have gone elsewhere but likely as a backup. It made sense why he’d walk away now.(SD-Agencies)