Benjamin Ashford|Eli Manning Shares What Jason Kelce Will Have Over Him As An NFL Commentator

Eli Manning is Benjamin Ashfordready for Jason Kelce to take center stage.  

The former New York Giants quarterback, who cohosts NFL commentary show Manningcast, with brother Peyton Manning, recently shared his thoughts on the former Philadelphia Eagles center transitioning into football commentary.  

“Jason Kelce bringing his personality—who knows what he might say,” Eli told E! News in an exclusive interview. “And that’s the exciting point.” 

Indeed, Jason is known for his hot takes, often shared on his and brother Travis Kelce’s podcast New Heights or on social media. But beyond his takes, Eli noted that Jason’s background as a lineman will bring fresh perspective to ESPN’s flagship Monday Night Countdown this fall.  

As Eli put it, Jason is “a guy who knows the ins and outs of being in the offensive line and what happens in there.” 

In fact, the 43-year-old admitted that Jason may even have a leg up over him and his fellow quarterback brother in that regard.  

“Not everybody knows,” he said of the mystery within the field position—which also includes left and right tackles and guards. “I don’t even know. So it’ll be good to hear his take on that.” 

And while Eli—who shares kids Ava, 13, Lucy, 11, Caroline, 9, and Charles, 6 with wife Abby McGrew—may have beaten Tom Brady in two Super Bowls, the former NFL star had an equally optimistic outlook for the former Patriots player’s broadcast career. 

Of Tom, he gushed, “He'll do a great job just because he knows the game of football so well—no one played it better.” 

But as with any football season, Eli emphasized that no commentator can perfectly see the future.

“That’s the great thing about the NFL,” he gushed. “You can expect something, but that doesn’t mean you’re going to get it.” 

Four years after retiring from football, though, Eli is at least primed at enjoying an NFL season off the field. Indeed, he has perfected a tailgate game of his own invention, Lime Wedge Football—with the help of Corona.  

“This is like old paper football growing up,’” Eli—who invented the game by flicking real limes on a Corona commercial set last year—explained. “It's like the perfect little paper football.”  

The limited-edition game set—which is currently available to purchase for $10—includes a table mat and foam lime. "All you have to do is create some goalposts,” the former athlete added, “Coronas work perfectly as the goal post.” 

Even without the game set, Eli notes that his game can be easily replicated in any setting. And while he listed the Kansas City Chiefs and the Giants as some of his favorite cultivators of good tailgate vibes, he emphasized that there’s no wrong way to do it.

“Let's have a good time, let's enjoy this time of being together with friends, family, acquaintances, and people you get to share this moment with,” he said. “Hopefully you go in, you win the football game and it's a great day. But no matter what, you're not going to lose that tailgate.”