Archie Manning thinks Eli would retire if Giants traded him

New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning has spent his entire NFL career in New York, winning two Super Bowls and building a family. His love for the city is so strong that his father - Archie Manning - believes Eli would rather call it quits than play for another team.

Eli is entering the final year of his contract and carries a cap hit of $19.75 million. He hopes to remain with the team beyond 2015 and said recently he would be willing to play out his final year to allow the Giants to assess the direction the franchise is moving.

"Peyton (Manning has) enjoyed his three years with the (Denver) Broncos but he always envisioned himself playing for one team. So I'm glad when he did have to change, he made a good choice," Archie said Thursday on Radio Row, according to Jordan Raanan of NJ.com. "But Eli, I think if the Giants traded Eli, he would retire. He loves his team. He loves the New York Giants."

Expectations were high for the 34-year-old Eli heading into 2014 following a disappointing 2013 campaign. He responded with one of the best statistical seasons of his career, throwing for 4,410 yards, 30 touchdowns and 14 interceptions.

Archie thinks Eli benefited from the new offensive of coordinator Ben McAdoo.

"I thought going to the West Coast was great for Eli at this point of his career. Really great. But I didn't know it was going to involve mechanics and footwork and all that stuff," Archie said. "It was a transition, but he made it and he got more comfortable. Maybe he got comfortable when Odell (Beckham Jr.) started playing."

If Eli does retire a Giant, he'll be the first of the Mannings to finish his career where it started. But both Eli and Archie knows there's no guarantees.

"Eli wants to," Archie said. "I hope he can. Eli doesn't worry about it too much. That is kind of the Giants decision."