Regardless whether or not you root for the New York Giants, the news that two-time Super Bowl champion Eli Manning being benched in favor of Geno Smith was a shock to all.

Manning, who currently holds the NFL consecutive games streak at 210, will be sitting on the bench for the first time since 2004, his rookie year. While people are still reeling from the news, one person was quick to come to Eli’s defense: his former head coach and current Jaguars executive vice president of football operations, Tom Coughlin.

Per ESPN:

“Surprised is not the word,” longtime Giants coach and current Jaguars executive vice president of football operations Tom Coughlin said on 1010XL Radio. “My sentiments are totally with Eli Manning. I love the kid. He is a class act. He is a two-time Super Bowl champ. He is the finest, most humblest young man in that locker room. I haven’t followed the Giants. I know it’s a disappointing year but my thoughts are strictly with Eli. I’m very upset about when I heard that.”

Coughlin coached Manning from 2004 to 2015, winning two Super Bowls with the youngest Manning brother.

Whether or not the move pans out in the long run remains to be seen, but it’s clear that Eli’s days in New York are numbered. It’s certainly not the New York ending he had in mind.