New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning could be the next big-name NFL player in line to receive a massive contract extension.
According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, the Giants are hoping to lock up their franchise quarterback with a long-term deal:
“This is another one where the Giants hope to do a deal either before training camp or early on in training camp,” Rapoport said. “My understanding is the Giants brass is confident in doing a deal in due time. Actually, just talking to people on both sides of this, it seems to make sense for both sides to do a deal, one that they think and hope will get done this year.”
It does make sense for New York to finalize a new deal with Manning before the start of the 2015 season. While the quarterback hasn’t expressed any reservations about heading into the final year of his current deal, the Giants can effectively shut down any media frenzy surrounding his future with a new contract.
Manning’s agent Tom Condon has also been nonchalant about the entire process up to this point. Back in late-June, he expressed complete confidence that a new deal would be forthcoming,
“The quarterbacks always get done,” Condon said, via Ralph Vacchiano of theNew York Daily News. “And the Giants are not a skittish team. So it’s not one of those things where they get nervous or they jump around or anything like that. You know you’re going to go in and it’s going to get done. I’m sure at the appropriate time it’ll happen.”
In addition to the benefit of getting ahead of the media, the Giants would be smart to pen Manning to a new deal this summer because it’s only going to get more expensive to keep him next year. With the rising salary cap and the wave of young quarterbacks in line for big new contracts, the cost to keep a franchise signal-caller is going to rise significantly in the upcoming years.
And while some might argue Manning isn’t among the cream of the crop when it comes to NFL quarterbacks, his two Super Bowl rings speak volumes about his value.
Manning also appears to have benefitted from new offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo, who came on board last season and implemented a system that is predicated on quicker reads and efficiency. He put together his best statistical season to date last year, and reports out of team facilities indicate the quarterback is improving even more this offseason.
Set to earn $17 million this year without an extension, Manning has indicated he is just happy to play the game he loves. Given the amicable nature of both parties involved, it’s hard to imagine this contract extension won’t get done before the start of the 2015 NFL regular season.
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