Ernest William Accorsi Jr., the former National Football League general manager renowned for orchestrating the trade that brought quarterback Eli Manning to the New York Giants, died Saturday in Camden, New Jersey. He was 84. Accorsi’s son Michael confirmed the cause of death as cancer.
Accorsi’s career spanned 36 years, during which he served as general manager for three NFL teams, earning a reputation as a quarterback guru. His most notable achievement came in the 2004 NFL draft when, as Giants general manager, he engineered a complex trade that secured Manning despite the San Diego Chargers initially selecting him first overall.
The Chargers had announced their intent to draft Manning, who had indicated privately he would refuse to play for the struggling franchise. Accorsi, betting on their bluff, waited until just before the Giants’ draft pick, then agreed to a deal sending quarterback Philip Rivers and three future Giants draft picks to San Diego in exchange for Manning. While initially praised as bold, the trade drew criticism after the Giants struggled in Manning’s early seasons, failing to win playoff games for three years. Accorsi recalled facing hostile fans during that period but remained confident in Manning’s potential.
Manning ultimately led the Giants to two Super Bowl victories in a four-year span, earning Most Valuable Player honors in both games. Giants president and CEO John K. Mara later described the trade as the franchise’s most significant and credited Accorsi for its success.
Born October 29, 1941, in Hershey, Pennsylvania, Accorsi began his career as a sportswriter before transitioning to football operations. He joined the Baltimore Colts in 1969 as director of public relations, advancing to assistant general manager in 1976 and general manager in 1982. During his tenure, he was involved in the selection of quarterback John Elway in the 1983 draft. Elway, unwilling to play for the Colts, was ultimately traded to the Denver Broncos, a move made without Accorsi’s prior knowledge. He resigned less than a year later, anticipating the Colts’ relocation to Indianapolis.
Accorsi helped the Cleveland Browns acquire quarterback Bernie Kosar in 1985 through a rare use of the supplemental draft, a move that led to multiple playoff appearances. He joined the Giants in 1994 as assistant general manager, succeeding George Young as general manager in 1998.
At the 2008 Super Bowl, Accorsi witnessed a defining moment as Manning led the Giants to a last-minute touchdown to defeat the previously undefeated New England Patriots. Reflecting on the game, Accorsi spoke of his faith in Manning’s abilities, illustrating the deep conviction he had in the young quarterback.
Accorsi is survived by three children—Michael, Patrick, and Sherlyn Accorsi DiPaolo—and one grandchild. His marriage to Judy Nangle in 1967 ended in divorce in 1983; she passed away in 2021. Throughout his career, Accorsi remained committed to identifying and developing elite quarterback talent, leaving an enduring legacy in the NFL.