The San Diego Chargers select Ole Miss quarterback Eli Manning #1 in 2004, only to trade him to the Giants after he states that he would not play for the Bolts.
On April 24, 2004, the San Diego Chargers selected Eli Manning with the No. 1 overall pick in the NFL Draft. It was a move that immediately came with tension. Eli, the son of Hall of Famer Archie Manning and younger brother of reigning league MVP Peyton Manning, had made it clear before the draft that he did not want to play for the Chargers, citing concerns about the organization’s stability and direction at the time.
Despite those concerns, San Diego proceeded with the selection, effectively calling Manning’s bluff—or at least buying time. The situation quickly escalated into one of the most memorable standoffs in draft history. Behind the scenes, negotiations intensified with the New York Giants, who held the No. 4 pick and were eager to secure a franchise quarterback of their own.
The resolution came swiftly. The Chargers agreed to trade Manning to the Giants in exchange for Philip Rivers, whom New York had just selected fourth overall out of NC State. The deal didn’t stop there—San Diego also received additional draft compensation, including a third-round pick in 2004 and first- and fifth-round picks in 2005. It was a blockbuster trade that reshaped both franchises.
In hindsight, the deal proved to be a rare win-win. Manning went on to lead the Giants to two Super Bowl victories, earning MVP honors in both games and cementing his legacy in New York. Rivers, meanwhile, became the face of the Chargers franchise for over a decade, putting up prolific passing numbers and earning multiple Pro Bowl selections.
What began as a contentious draft-day power play ultimately evolved into one of the most balanced and fascinating quarterback trades in NFL history—one where both teams walked away with exactly what they needed.
And as for the final story on Manning and Rivers? It likely ends in Caton, as both players are expected to be enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame eventually.