Ernie Accorsi, Giants GM who drafted Eli Manning, dies at 84
Former New York Giants general manager Ernie Accorsi has died at 84 after a brief battle with cancer, the team announced — the executive who traded for Eli Manning and built the core of two Super Bowl winners.
Ernie Accorsi, the former New York Giants general manager whose blockbuster 2004 trade brought Eli Manning to the franchise, died on Saturday night at the age of 84, the team announced on Sunday. The New York Post reports he had a brief battle with cancer.
The Hershey, Pennsylvania native served as Giants GM from 1998 to 2006 after four seasons as assistant to George Young. In his nine years in the role, New York won two NFC East titles, earned four postseason berths and reached Super Bowl XXXV. Though he retired after the 2006 season, he played such a part in building the roster that toppled the undefeated Patriots in Super Bowl XLII that he received a championship ring.
Accorsi’s signature move came at the 2004 NFL draft, when he orchestrated the trade with the San Diego Chargers to acquire Manning, who went on to lead the Giants to two Super Bowl victories. He also hired head coach Tom Coughlin, and was inducted into the Giants’ Ring of Honor in 2016 alongside Coughlin and Justin Tuck.
His 37-year NFL executive career also included GM stints with the Baltimore Colts and Cleveland Browns. In his final 16 years as a general manager, his teams produced nine playoff sides and six division champions.
“Ernie helped shape the course of New York Giants history through his vision, leadership and unwavering belief in building a championship organization,” Giants co-owner John Mara said in a statement. NFL commissioner Roger Goodell praised him as one of the most respected football minds in league history.
Sources
- NY Post: “Ernie Accorsi, GM who snagged Eli Manning and changed Giants history, dead at 84” — https://nypost.com/2026/09/20/sports/ernie-accorsi-giants-gm-who-drafted-eli-manning-dead-at-84/
- NBC Sports: “Former Giants GM Ernie Accorsi dies at 84” — https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/former-giants-gm-ernie-accorsi-dies-at-84
- Giants.com: “Giants mourn loss of former GM and Ring of Honor inductee Ernie Accorsi” — https://www.giants.com/news/giants-mourn-loss-of-former-giants-gm-and-ring-of-honor-inductee-ernie-accorsi
- Fox News/Outkick: “Ernie Accorsi, legendary Giants general manager who made the shrewd move to get Eli Manning, dead at 84” — https://foxnews.com/outkick-sports/ernie-accorsi-legendary-giants-general-manager-shrewd-move-eli-manning-dead-84
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