Dez Bryant goes to bat for Eli Manning: How can anyone hate him?

Long-time Eli Manning rival, Dez Brant, went to bat for the two-time Super Bowl MVP on New Year’s Eve.

With Eli Manning’s time with the New York Giants coming to a close and the potential for retirement on the horizon, the debate over his Hall of Fame edibility has hit a fever pitch.

Every time you turn around, someone new is throwing their hat into the ring and either making a case for or against Eli.

That trend continued on Tuesday night just moments before ringing in the new year when former Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant threw some shade at the Manning haters.

Bryant’s comments came after a late-night debate with fans and other blue check-marks in which the topic of Manning vs. Baker Mayfield came up.

Eli’s former NFC East rival pondered aloud if reuniting Manning and Odell Beckham Jr. in Cleveland would be a smart move for the struggling franchise.

Whatever you think of Manning in Cleveland or even Bryant’s mere suggestion that it would work, it’s pretty cool to see a man squared off with Eli twice per season for such a long time showing him some legitimate love.

[lawrence-related id=637323,637339,637332]