Eli, Greg, Darren, Phillip, Drew … Tom? Are all of these men officially done with football? Will they return? Will they retire? All good and intriguing questions that I dissected.
I’ve selected players who’s contracts are up and that I suspect are having to make a decision, have made it, or that I suspect will retire.
ELI MANNING
Position: Quarterback
Team: New York Giants
Age: 36 years-old
Contract: Contract is up.
Thoughts:
We watched his last start, which he played the whole game. He received a standing ovation and it was emotional for true fans. That’s over now, so here’s the big question: Will he go somewhere else? His contract is obviously up and if Daniel Jones improves aspects of his game such as ball security, then he is definitely the future of the Giants.
Eli is not coming back to the Giants if he’s going to be a backup. End of story. He said this while talking to the press after their last game. If he said that about the Giants, then that goes for all of the 31 other teams. He doesn’t want to be a backup anywhere. Period.
If anywhere, I would see him going somewhere like the Chargers. (How ironic would that be). Then again, Eli isn’t the same player he used to be. He’s had a long successful career and has four kids and a wife at home in Hoboken. It’s not like he still has more than three years left to play so does he really want to move his whole family somewhere else, possibly across the country? Probably not. As much as it hurts to say, he’s not not coming back. Retirement’s in the cards.
PHILIP RIVERS
Position: Quarterback
Team: Los Angeles Chargers
Age: 38
Contract: Contract is up
Thoughts:
When a football player is crying during their postgame press conference after their last game and possibly last game ever, it’s usually because they’re doubtful of their future. Philip Rivers is one of the most passionate players in the league and most likely doesn’t want to stop playing. The problem here, is there’s really no where for him to go because in my opinion, he’s just like Eli and doesn’t want to be a backup.It’d be funny if they switched and were traded to each other’s teams but I don’t see that happening at all. I always wanted him to get a Super Bowl win because of how great of a player he is. He’s always been in one of those unfortunate situations where he’s an amazing player on a not so amazing team. That all started when he was traded with Eli during the draft. He would definitely have a ring by now if everything had stayed the same and he went to the Giants but it didn’t work out that way. I think he thought this was the year and his last try. They went 5-11 and missed the playoffs. He’s also one of those guys who’s married lots of kids (five kids) and has only ever been on one team so is he really going to move them all somewhere else? I think he’s done but had a career that he can definitely be proud of.
GREG OLSEN
Position: Tight End
Team: Carolina Panthers
Age: 34
Contract: Free Agent in 2021 but can retire.
Thoughts:
Greg Olsen is a quality football player from no other than the gorgeous Garden State. The Wayne Hills alum is very unlikely to return to Charlotte. During the Panthers last game, Olsen received a standing ovation (as he should). He’s Mr. Reliable! Torey Smith once called him “Cam Newton’s blankie”. He is a Panther legend and there’s no argument on that. When I was watching the Amazon series, “All or Nothing”, Olsen kept saying that in the future, they’re not going to want a 34-year old who’s broken his foot twice. His contract says that he doesn’t become a free agent until 2021 but can retire now. That isn’t an easy decision to make but I see him deciding to retire. I think he is physically done and has had a wonderful career.
*Continuation of other players in following blog posts.
More posts about more players to come!
*Photos of Eli Manning and Greg Olsen are from ESPN.com. Photo of Philip Rivers from nfl.com.
