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Update: Eli Manning did NOT have dinner with the Bears on Wednesday

This is news, unless it isn’t... But either way it was an interesting few hours for Bears’ fans.

By Lester A. Wiltfong Jr. Updated
New York Giants v Philadelphia Eagles Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images

UPDATE: Bears’ fans, you can relax now, because The Athletic’s Adam Jahns, who is as dialed in with the Bears as anybody, is refuting the reports from Wednesday night about Eli and the Bears having dinner.

To double down on the nixing of the rumor, ESPN 1000’s David Kaplan is also confirming there was no dinner.

It was fun while it lasted, but Bears’ fans, you can now carry on with your usual debates over the future of Mitchell Trubisky and the competence of Matt Nagy and Ryan Pace.

While you’re here, be sure to check out my latest T Formation Conversation Podcast where I pick the brain of our Lead Draft Analyst, Jacob Infante, to get his thoughts on what the Bears could do in the NFL Draft.

Mar 4, 2020, 11:12pm CST - Recently retired quarterback Eli Manning, who is technically still under contract with the New York Giants, is reported to be in Chicago on Wednesday night having dinner with the Chicago Bears.

In thinking of all the QB rumors I anticipated popping up this offseason, this is not one I figured I’d hear.

When it was just a Tweet from NFL Insider Leroy (@LeroyInsider), the “Pardon My Take newshound,” it was easy to dismiss...

But now that Cole Wright of the Marquee Sports Network and SiriusXM NFL Radio is reporting it as well, there’s likely some truth to it.

Before retiring, Eli was set to become an unrestricted free agent when the 2020 league year opens on March 18, so if Manning is meeting with the Bears about playing again, he’d have to get permission from the Giants before doing so.

However, this could just be some posturing from both sides, with the Bears okay leaking they have more veteran quarterbacking options and Eli floating he has some interest in playing one more season at 39-years old.

But maybe he’s talking with the Bears about a coaching position or a front office spot.

Then again, perhaps there’s nothing to this dinner than simply dinner at one of Chicago’s fine dining spots between NFL colleagues.

What do you guys think is going on?

Unless Manning or the Bears comment on the situation we may never know.

If anything concrete breaks, we’ll be sure to pass it along right here at WCG.

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