Eli Manning all but assured himself a place in Canton when he out-dueled Tom Brady for the second time in his career on the NFL's biggest stage in Super Bowl XLVI, improbably beating the New England Patriots once again to earn his second ring.
Debates over his Hall-of-Fame worthiness continue to rage on, though, and resurfaced this week when the New York Giants unceremoniously benched their longtime franchise quarterback in the midst of a hugely disappointing season for the team.
The decision to sit Manning to get a look at Geno Smith and rookie Davis Webb means the vet has likely played his last game as a Giant. If that becomes reality this offseason, the question will be whether Manning should continue his career elsewhere.
Related: What should the Giants do with Eli Manning?
And if he doesn't want to tarnish his legacy or risk his first-ballot chances, the answer should be a resounding no.
Manning is far from the biggest reason for the Giants' failure to fulfill their Super Bowl aspirations this season, but the QB - who'll turn 37 in January - has been trending downward for nearly two seasons.
In 2016, Manning threw 16 interceptions and fumbled four times, and averaged 6.7 yards per attempt - his worst mark since the 2007 season.
While his 2017 struggles can be chalked up to losing Odell Beckham Jr. and Brandon Marshall and playing behind a terrible offensive line, Manning's issues protecting the ball and throwing downfield have continued.
Which is why the prospect of him joining the Arizona Cardinals, the Denver Broncos, or the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2018 isn't as likely as some assume. Manning's salary demands will be significant, but the likelihood he'll be able to improve those teams won't be.
(Photo courtesy: Getty Images)
In an offseason where the likes of Alex Smith, the Bills' Tyrod Taylor, and Kirk Cousins could all be available - though for radically different prices - Manning shouldn't be anyone's No.1 option.
Consequently, he should be motivated to avoid landing a bad fit and producing a poor two- or three-year stretch to end his career, which could shine a spotlight on the arguments against him being a Hall of Famer.
Manning ranks in the top 10 of most career passing stats, but his volume is more a result of his otherworldly ability to avoid injury rather than consistent elite performances.
He's posted passer ratings of 85 or lower in six of his 14 seasons and led the NFL in interceptions three times; he's thrown for over 4,000 yards just six times and 30 touchdowns three times; and he's never been named to an All-Pro team, the true benchmark for elite individual play.
All of those arguments, rightly or wrongly, don't carry nearly enough weight to counter Manning's two Super Bowl rings and the fact it's impossible to tell the story of the NFL without mentioning his name.
But recency bias is real, and Manning should walk off into the sunset as the hero ultimately let down by his team, rather than extend his career elsewhere and risk his lasting image being that of a broken player who fizzled out.
And we're sure Peyton would love some company on the couch, Eli.
