Departures of note

Ernest William Accorsi Jr., known as Ernie Accorsi, was an American professional football executive who spent decades in the National Football League. He served as general manager of the Baltimore Colts and held the top football-operations role with the Cleveland Browns before becoming general manager of the New York Giants from 1998 to 2006. During his Giants tenure he helped build the roster that reached Super Bowl XXXV and, in a blockbuster 2004 draft-day trade, acquired quarterback Eli Manning from the San Diego Chargers in exchange for the rights to Philip Rivers. Manning went on to lead the Giants to two Super Bowl victories, cementing Accorsi's legacy as one of the league's most respected front-office minds. Accorsi also co-chaired the NFL's General Managers Advisory Committee, and after stepping down he remained a trusted advisor in league circles. Tributes upon his death came from Giants ownership, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, and Manning himself.