Only a few short years ago, the NFL’s offseason rumor mill was filled with news on potential transactions and teams expressing an interest in certain pending free agents. However, with the advent of social media, it’s turned the NFL offseason into a 24/7 gossip column.
Never was there a better example of that than on Wednesday night when “NFL Insider Leroy,” the Twitter account of PFT’s actual dog, sent out word that retired New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning was in Chicago having dinner with the Bears.
Hearing from sources that Eli Manning is meeting for dinner with the Chicago Bears this evening bark bark
— NFL Insider Leroy (@LeroyInsider) March 5, 2020
Almost instantly, several other Twitter accounts began tweeting about Manning’s alleged meeting with the Bears, sparking a rush of speculation as to what it could all mean.
Eli Manning…In Chicago…At Oriole….Having Dinner…With the @ChicagoBears đź‘€
I wonder what's on the menu for tonight…
— Cole Wright (@ColeWright) March 5, 2020
As it turns out, the meeting meant absolutely nothing because it never actually happened.
Confirmed: The @ChicagoBears did NOT have dinner with Eli Manning last night. Such a ridiculous report. Next we'll hear that they are signing Archie, Peyton, Eli and Cooper Manning. Now that would be a great QB room! #StopTheNonsense
— David Kaplan (@thekapman) March 5, 2020
The Bears may be looking for a quarterback to replace Mitch Trubisky this offseason, but Manning made it abundantly clear in January that he was content heading into retirement knowing that the only uniform he would ever wear was that of the Giants.
“They say one a Giant, always a Giant. For me, it’s only a Giant,” Manning said in his final words as a member of the team.
Giants co-owner John Mara has stated there’s a door open to Manning should he want to take another role within the organization, and Eli seemed receptive to that. For now however, he’s just out there enjoying his family and retirement.
[lawrence-related id=641986,641977,641971]