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NFL·TRANSACTION·September 20, 2026 02:22 PM ET

Ernie Accorsi, former Giants GM who traded for Eli Manning, dies at 84

He led New York's front office from 1998 to 2006.

Wire Report IntelligenceUpdated Sep 201 min read
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What happened: The Giants announced his death Sunday. Commissioner Roger Goodell praised Accorsi for his football judgment and the relationships he built throughout the league. [Goodell's statement](https://www.publicnow.com/view/CBF784345B1A2B40E6DF62C8C7A0777E1F0FF7E0)

Why it matters: Accorsi also hired Tom Coughlin, pairing the coach and quarterback who would lead New York to victories in Super Bowls XLII and XLVI after his retirement. Earlier, he drafted John Elway despite the quarterback's resistance to joining the Colts; owner Bob Irsay subsequently traded Elway's rights to the Denver Broncos.

By the numbers: During Accorsi's 1985–92 tenure running the Cleveland Browns, the team reached three AFC championship games in four seasons, from 1986 through 1989. Denver won all three.

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