A contract extension for New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning could be coming "either before training camp or early on in training camp," according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. The Giants "brass is confident in doing a deal," Rapoport added.
Manning, of course, is entering the final year of a six-year, $97.5 million contract. He is scheduled to make $17 million in base salary and count $19.75 million against the salary cap.
Throughout the offseason Manning has expressed little concern about his contract, though admitting that "of course" he wants to retire as a Giant.
Entering his 12th season, Manning is coming off one of the best statistical seasons of his career.
At the end of last season, Giants co-owner John Mara also expressed his desire to keep Manning with the Giants.
"We would like him to retire as a Giant. That is where he should be," Mara said. "We still think we can win a championship with him and he is still playing at a high level. Of course, we would like to keep him."
Head coach Tom Coughlin said about Manning at the NFL owners' meetings in March that "He's our quarterback and I would like him to be our quarterback for as long as he can do it, mentally and physically."
Should the Giants not sign Manning to an extension they leave themselves wiggle room to go into full rebuilding mode a year from now should the 2015 season not turn out well. It has, however, long been my belief that the Giants would not go that route. Even if the Giants do need to make some drastic changes after 2015 having a two-time Super Bowl-winning quarterback who is still playing at a high level is not a bad building block to start with, even if he will be 35.