The New York Giants and Eli Manning have been working towards a contract extension this summer, and a source close to the negotiations expects the two sides to finalize a deal before the start of the regular season.
Manning expressed optimism that a deal was close on Monday, speaking with NJ Advance Media. Furthermore, Jordan Ranaan notes: “A last-minute deal still wouldn’t be surprising. One person with knowledge of the negotiations said recently they expected a deal to be done by the start of the season.”
There were reports earlier this summer that Manning was expressing a desire to be paid more than any other player in the league. However, he denied those rumors, and one must imagine the Giants are grateful.
The Giants open the season on Sunday, Sept. 13, on the road against the hated Dallas Cowboys. There isn’t much time left to hammer out a deal, but as we know deadlines have a way of motivating results.
For his part, Manning hasn’t been outwardly concerned about getting a deal done this summer, and his focus is solely on the Cowboys right now.
“Again, my focus is on getting ready, playing at a high level,” he said Monday as the Giants began preparations for their Week 1 Sunday night matchup with the Cowboys. “Now it’s all about getting ready for Dallas.”
Whether or not he signs a record-breaking deal remains to be seen. However, one must imagine Manning’s price tag isn’t cheap. While nobody would say he’s the best quarterback in the league, Manning has won two Super Bowls with the Giants and had one of the best years of his career last season under the tutelage of new offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo.
If he does sign on the dotted line, then it’s likely Manning will ink a deal somewhere in the vicinity of what Philip Rivers agreed to with the San Diego Chargers, which averages out to just under $21 million per year.