Eli Manning plans to take year off from football before returning in some capacity

Eli Manning is looking to take a gap year of sorts as he plots out his post-playing career.

Speaking during a conference call on Thursday, the retired former New York Giants quarterback said that he was planning to take some time away from football before returning to the sport in some capacity down the line.

“I really wanted to try to take a year off and just try to gather my bearings, get settled with my family, and figure out what I want to do in that next chapter,” said Manning, per Jordan Raanan of ESPN. “I know one thing: I don’t want to be an NFL coach. I’ve seen what our coaches do and the hours they put in, and I enjoy being with my family and enjoy coaching some of their sports teams.”

Manning, 39, retired earlier this year after a 16-season career with the Giants that produced two memorable Super Bowl rings. He also indicated an interest in coaching youth football or remaining involved with the Giants.

“Football is my love and passion,” Manning added. “It is all I’ve known for the last 25 years and all I’ve been doing. I don’t think I can stray too far away from that. I’d like to hope to do something with the Giants, stay involved with them. I probably need a little break right now just because it’s so new. So I’m going to take a little time, enjoy some family time, but I assume I’ll be jumping back into football in some way. I don’t know if I want to do announcing … yet. Or go into that field. I might want to stay more hands-on with either the Giants or some coaching with a high school team.”

The four-time Pro Bowler Manning finished his career as the Giants’ all-time passing leader and the holder of one of the NFL’s longest consecutive start streaks. While his final seasons were plagued by losing, head coaching turnover, and various benchings, Manning sounds content with life as a retiree, despite what his older brother might say.