“It hurts a lot” - Eli Manning gets brutally honest about lowest point of his legendary Giants career

Eli Manning is regarded as one of the finest quarterbacks to have graced the NFL. However, the two-time Super Bowl winner had some challenging times during his 16 years with the New York Giants.

In an episode of the "Glue Guys Podcast" on Thursday, Manning recalled the lowest point of his NFL career, which was being benched on Nov. 28, 2017, after racking up 210 consecutive starts.

"It was tough," Manning said. "You see the end coming -- and you don't know if it's the end of your career. Is that your last game ever? It's a lot of tears. It hurts. It hurts a lot. Because of what you've put into it, what the game means to you, what your teammates mean to you."

Although Manning was the starting QB for the New York Giants heading into the 2017 season, the team went 2-9 that year before then-Giants coach Ben McAdoo opted to start Geno Smith.

However, with Smith, the Giants lost 24-17 against the then-Oakland Raiders to fall to 2-10. The defeat also led to McAdoo and general manager Jerry Reese being relieved of their duties.

Steve Spagnuolo, who was the defensive coordinator for the Giants, was named the interim coach for the rest of the season. He reinstated Manning as QB1, but the team finished with a dismal 3-13 record.

Eli Manning beat Tom Brady's New England Patriots in two Super Bowls

Former New York Giants QB Eli Manning - Source: Imagn

Eli Manning won his first Super Bowl in 2008 when the New York Giants beat Tom Brady's New England Patriots 17-14. It was regarded as one of the biggest upsets in NFL history since the Patriots had reached the big game without a single defeat in the season.

Manning got the better of Brady's Patriots at the Super Bowl in 2012 as well. The Giants beat New England 21-17 that year.

Manning also won the Super Bowl MVP award for his performances in the two big games against the Patriots.

Manning retired in January 2020, after recording 57,023 passing yards, 366 touchdowns and 244 interceptions. Along with his two Super Bowls, he earned four Pro Bowl honors.