Giants Optimistic About Extending Manning

With training camps fast approaching, it’s extension season in the NFL, and one notable extension-eligible player heading into a contract year is Giants quarterback Eli Manning. According to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (video link), the Giants would like to get something done with Manning before training camp begins, or early in camp.

As Rapoport reports, the Giants are confident about locking up Manning to a new contract at some point before he becomes eligible for free agency in 2016, and they “think and hope” it will happen this year. Rapoport also observes that 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.

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.

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. Of those extensions, Roethlisberger’s pact, which averages $21.85MM annually, appears to be the most logical point of reference in the talks between Manning and the Giants — 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.