One would think that the recent deal struck between the Chargers and quarterback Philip Rivers would pave the way for a pact between the Giants and Eli Manning, but that might not be the case. Manning’s agent is seeking a deal that would pay him higher than Rivers or Aaron Rodgers or any other quarterback in the game, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter).
Currently, Rodgers is the highest paid QB in the NFL with a substantial deal that takes him through 2019. The Packers signal-caller is slated to $110MM over the next five years thanks to an extension that includes a $33,25MM signing bonus, $54MM guaranteed. The average annual value of Rodgers’ deal comes out to a healthy $22MM, and one has to imagine that while Manning could approach that AAV, he won’t be able to secure the same kind of contract overall.
A deal would make sense for both sides, giving the veteran quarterback some security beyond this season, and allowing the team to create a little cap flexibility. However, he’ll likely have to come down on his demands in order to get something done. Manning, 34, started off slowly in 2014 under new offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo, but eventually hit his stride, throwing for 4,410 yards and 30 touchdowns on the year. Those totals fell just short of his career highs, ranking as his second-best marks in 11 NFL seasons. With a year under his belt working with McAdoo and Odell Beckham Jr., and Victor Cruz on his way back from a season-ending knee injury, Manning looks poised for another strong season in 2015.
Manning is currently in line to earn a $17MM base salary in 2015, counting for $19.75MM against the cap. After averaging $16.25MM on his last contract, the two-time Super Bowl MVP figures to be in line for at least a modest raise this time around.
In addition to Rivers, Ryan Tannehill, Cam Newton, and Ben Roethlisberger are among the signal-callers who have signed new deals in 2015 averaging between $19-22MM per year. Roethlisberger’s pact, which averages $21.85MM annually, seemed to be a logical point of reference in the talks between Manning and the Giants – after all, both QBs entered the league as first-round picks in 2004, have earned three Pro Bowl nods, and have won a pair of Super Bowls. Not in the eyes of Tom Condon, however, who is aiming much higher.
And he will be the highest-paid, at least until it comes time to rework the deal of/extend the next franchise signal-caller. Eli might not be the best QB in the game, but in spite of his flaws, he consistently gives his team a chance to win; it’s not like they can replace him. Simple supply and demand.
I think he can get that Rodgers AAV since Ryan Tannehill, Cam Newton, and Ben Roethlisberger all did or nearly did, but do you think he’s going to get that same overall value?
Keep dreaming Eli, you pompous prick!
Eli’s isn’t even in the Top 5 QB’s in the league, give me a freaking break.
Like Rory said though, the line keeps moving. It’s not a straight meritocracy. With the cap steadily increasing, timing matters a lot.
Quarterbacks have the market cornered, so while it’s indeed a ridiculous alleged request based on performance, the Giants don’t have any options to replicate Eli’s work.
So do I, Eli. So do I.
The top tier of QB deals by annual salary (Rodgers, Wilson, Ben) is made up of guys who have won Super Bowls, so it makes sense that Eli would join them, even if he’s probably not the guy you’d pick to start a franchise. Of course, per-year salary is just one measure of a contract, and I’d be surprised if Eli becomes the league’s highest-paid QB in total value and guaranteed money as well.
Still, I can definitely see the Giants being willing to go a little above Rodgers’ $22MM per year figure. The Rivers and Roethlisberger deals are the logical points of reference, so if tacking on an extra $1MM to make Eli the highest-paid guy gets it done, I don’t have a problem with that. That extra $1MM per year isn’t exactly devastating in terms of cap flexibility, especially since the cap keeps increasing so steadily.