Matt Leinart's Near Miss with the Giants: A 2010 Trade That Almost Happened
In a surprising revelation, former USC Heisman Trophy winner and first-round NFL draft pick Matt Leinart has disclosed a fascinating 'what if' scenario from his football career. Leinart, who played quarterback for the Arizona Cardinals, revealed that he was almost traded to the New York Giants back in 2010. The deal, which would have seen Leinart serve as a backup to Eli Manning, ultimately fell through, leaving fans to wonder how the Giants' Super Bowl run might have unfolded with a different quarterback dynamic.
Leinart, speaking on the Pardon My Take podcast, detailed the discussions that took place. At the time, the Giants were coming off a Super Bowl XLII victory and were looking for a reliable backup to Manning. The Cardinals, meanwhile, were struggling to find a consistent starting quarterback after Kurt Warner’s injuries and Leinart’s performance. A trade seemed like a mutually beneficial solution.
“I was almost traded to the Giants in 2010,” Leinart stated. “They wanted me to be the backup quarterback to Eli Manning. I was pretty close. It didn’t happen. I ended up staying in Arizona.”
The circumstances surrounding Leinart's career are complex. Drafted as the 10th overall pick in the 2007 NFL Draft, Leinart's tenure with the Cardinals was marked by inconsistency and limited playing time. While he showed flashes of potential, he never fully established himself as a starting quarterback. The Cardinals' front office, seeking stability at the position, explored various options, including trading Leinart.
Had the trade gone through, it would have presented an intriguing dynamic for the Giants. Manning was already a proven winner, but having a former Heisman winner and high draft pick as a backup could have offered a valuable insurance policy and potentially added another dimension to the team's preparation. Furthermore, it would have been fascinating to observe Leinart's career trajectory in a more stable and successful environment.
Ultimately, the trade never materialized, and Leinart continued with the Cardinals for another season before moving on to other teams, including the Denver Broncos and Houston Texans. While his NFL career didn’t reach the heights many predicted, his near-trade to the Giants remains a captivating footnote in the history of both franchises. It serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of the NFL and the countless decisions that can alter the course of a team's destiny. The story highlights the constant evaluation and shifting priorities within a professional sports organization, and the ripple effects that even a failed trade can have on player careers and team outcomes.
Leinart's revelation provides a glimpse behind the scenes of NFL transactions and underscores the constant churn of players and possibilities that define the league. It’s a story that resonates with fans who appreciate the intricate web of decisions that shape the outcomes of games and the careers of athletes.