Giants under investigation by NFL for Ben McAdoo’s walkie-talkie use vs. Cowboys

The NFL is investigating the New York Giants for use of a walkie-talkie on the sideline during Sunday night’s win over the Dallas Cowboys, according to Paul Schwartz of the New York Post.

The investigation comes at the formal request of the Cowboys, according to Schwartz. Jordan Raanan at ESPN reported that the NFL had commenced its investigation before the Cowboys submitted their request.

NFL rules state that communication between the sideline and the quarterback has to terminate with 15 seconds remaining on the play clock. Head coach Ben McAdoo’s use of a walkie-talkie makes it difficult for the league to know if the Giants complied with that rule or not.

The radio transmitter in Eli Manning’s helmet malfunctioned during the game, and McAdoo reportedly used the walkie-talkie early in the fourth quarter to relay play calls to the quarterback.

Manning had difficulty with the radio transmitter in his helmet earlier in the game, and McAdoo had to relay plays from the sideline.

“I just wasn’t getting anything, so I had to run to the sideline to get the plays,’’ Manning said. “Four plays maybe, we don’t have signals for stuff. It happened to be all run plays. If it’s pass plays, [backup quarterback Ryan] Nassib or somebody could signal them to me. I had to run to the sideline, sometimes he was giving it to Odell [Beckham Jr.] right there, and Odell would run to me and get the play in. Like high school.’’

Manning said he was unsure when McAdoo was using the walkie-talkie and when he wasn’t. All he knew was that he was hearing the play calls again.

As far as the legality of using a walkie-talkie, Manning said he didn’t know the specifics.

“I don’t know if we did or didn’t (break the rules) or what happened there,” Manning said.

The Giants handed the Cowboys their second loss of the season, winning 10-7 at home. New York also beat Dallas in Week 1.