Part 3/7:
As the pre-draft process unfolded, Archie Manning reached out to Ryan Leaf's father to get insight into how the Chargers treated his son—a player they regarded as their future franchise quarterback before things went awry. Archie learned that the Chargers had not provided sufficient support for Leaf during his struggles, contributing to his downfall, which only further solidified Eli's hesitance to sign with San Diego.
During this period, Eli openly tried to communicate his reluctance to join the Chargers, even appealing for a private talk to express his wishes against being drafted by them. Unfortunately for Eli, this desire was leaked to the media, leading to an awkward situation where both parties were painfully aware of his disinterest.