New York Giants’ quarterback Eli Manning recently stated that he wants not just a bigger paycheck, but to become the highest-paid player in the NFL. In the unlikely event Manning and the Giants don’t come to terms on a new deal, the team could use its exclusive franchise tag on Manning.
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An ESPN source said the Giants’ initial offer to Manning was for $17.5 million a year, which is what he is making this year and is less than other quarterbacks such as the Chicago Bears’ Jay Cutler and the Miami Dolphins’ Ryan Tannehill. San Diego’s Philip Rivers, Pittsburgh’s Ben Roethlisberger, Carolina’s Cam Newton and Seattle’s Russell Wilson all have signed contract extensions this offseason.
Considering Manning is 34 years old, it does seem a bit unlikely he’ll top the “value remaining” list with his next deal.
Aaron Rodgers of the Packers now is the NFL’s highest-paid quarterback, earning $22 million annually. He wants to be the highest now.
Now, for those of you who are Giants fans, football fans or simply sports fans from the area who have paid a modicum of attention to the Giants, does that sound like anything that would come out of Manning’s mouth, or something he would allow his agent to say? Manning will have many offensive weapons at his disposal this season with Odell Beckham Jr. and Victor Cruz both back healthy to join Ruben Randle, Larry Donnell and Rashad Jennings.
Even if Manning hasn’t actually said that he wants that to happen, he probably wouldn’t mind.
The Giants also haven’t been in the playoffs since the 2011 season.
I just don’t think there’s a whole lot of point worrying about it. I got things I have to do, get ready for practice every day and that’s what I’m focused on. And with no limit on contract length, it would take just a seven-year deal to get the 25-year-old Luck over the $200 million mark. After struggling early in the 2014 season, Manning adapted to his first new offense since his rookie year a decade earlier and put up some of his best numbers.
The 34-year-old added, “I don’t know how all negotiating goes, what’s being asked and this and that”.
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It’s been a odd few days regarding the negotiations between the Giants and quarterback Eli Manning, starting with the talks suddenly going public and culminating in Eli disputing the notion that he’s looking to be the highest-paid player in the game.
