NEWYou can now listen to Pakinomist articles!
Eli Manning retired in 2019, missing his first year of Hall of Fame eligibility in 2025. He was passed over again earlier this year, but he still fired back at a fan who claimed one of his contemporaries was the better quarterback.
On Tuesday, a social media user floated a theory about former Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan. Ryan, who now oversees football operations as the team’s president, last played in an NFL game in 2022. He announced his retirement in 2024, making him eligible for Hall of Fame consideration beginning in 2028.
“Matt Ryan was a better QB than Eli Manning… people just worship rings. Agree or not,” the post read.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON Pakinomist
New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning greets Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan after their game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on October 22, 2018. (Jason Getz/USA TODAY Sports)
Manning caught the suggestion and weighed in, pointing to the two Super Bowl-winning teams he was a part of during his stellar run with the New York Giants.
“I’ll ponder this while playing with my rings…,” Manning wrote in a quote tweet.
Ryan’s statistical production surpasses Manning’s, at least on paper. He was named NFL MVP in 2016, an honor Manning never received. Ryan is also the most accomplished player in Falcons history, finishing his career with more than 62,000 passing yards in the regular season compared to Manning’s 57,023.
NFC head coach Eli Manning runs during a practice session before the NFL Pro Bowl at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nev., on Feb. 4, 2023. (Michael Owens/Getty Images)
Both quarterbacks were selected to four Pro Bowls, but the key difference lies in championships. Manning won the Super Bowl in 2007 and 2011, while Ryan made it once but fell short. Manning threw for a single-season career-best 4,933 in the run to the second Super Bowl title.
Ryan threw for 284 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions to help the Falcons build a 25-point lead in the championship game — a matchup remembered for the New England Patriots, who made the biggest comeback in Super Bowl history.
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan throws the ball against the Buffalo Bills during the second half at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, NY on January 2, 2022. (Rich Barnes/USA TODAY Sports)
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE Pakinomist APP
The Falcons have reached the Super Bowl twice in franchise history, first in 1998, but the team is still chasing its first elusive championship.
The Giants marked their 100th season in 2024, winning four Super Bowls during the franchise’s century-long history.
