Giants co-owner wants Eli Manning deal done before season

New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning (10) looks on from the sidelines in the second half against the Cincinnati Bengals in a preseason NFL football game at Paul Brown Stadium.

Eli Manning is seeking to be the NFL’s highest paid player, but does he deserve it?

Rodgers leads the way on average-per-year salary at $22 million, followed by Wilson ($21.9M), Roethlisberger ($21.85M), and Rivers ($20.8M). Aaron Rodgers now has the highest average annual salary at $22.0 million per year.

If he were to sign a new deal, Manning would become the latest in a long line of major extensions for quarterbacks this offseason, a list that includes Wilson, Newton, Rivers, Ben Roethlisberger and Ryan Tannehill. Manning is also one of five players to win multiple Super Bowl MVP awards so compared to his peers like let’s say Phillip Rivers, Manning is due to make considerably more than him. Rivers and Eli were traded for another, so they will always be linked.

The argument being made by agent Tom Condon is that Manning (15th in the NFL in passer rating in 2014, behind Ryan Tannehill) is “uniquely suited” to play in the everyday media firestorm that is New York City.

According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the two-time Super Bowl victor is looking to sign a contract extension before Week 1 that will make him the highest-paid player in the NFL.

Rivers was the quarterback who signed most recently, and may even be the most comparable to Manning.

The Giants also haven’t been in the playoffs since the 2011 season. All three quarterbacks are members of the 2004 draft class, and these recent contracts are undoubtedly influencing Manning’s request for a big extension.

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.”We’re going to try to lock him up”.

There’s no knowing if the Giants will cave and give Manning what he wants, but he could end up getting a big payday in 2016 regardless.