Eli Manning contract extension detailed
New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning speaks to the media during training camp at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center in East Rutherford, N.J., on Thursday, Aug. 6, 2015. Credit: Brad Penner
The Giants virtually ensured that Eli Manning will play his entire career with the team when they signed their quarterback to a four-year contract extension worth $84 million Friday.
Manning, who was traded to the Giants right after the Chargers made him the No. 1 pick in the 2004 draft, will be 39 when this contract extension runs out. The deal is reported to include a no-trade clause.
"I'm obviously excited knowing I'll be a Giant for a long time," Manning told Giants.com. "This is where I got started and where I want to finish. I still have the same mentality. My goal is to earn this contract and do my best and keep trying to win championships for the Giants."
The Giants were just as happy to get the deal done so they can focus on the season.
"I've said it many times and I'll say it again: He's our quarterback and he's our leader," coach Tom Coughlin said at practice when asked how important it was to get the extension done. "He's been the MVP of two Super Bowls. He's a great player and we are excited to have this accomplished and looking forward to being on the field."
Manning, beginning his 12th season, was MVP of Super Bowls XLII and XLVI and is a three-time Pro Bowl selection, most recently in 2012.
Manning was entering the final year of his contract and was due to make $17 million this year. He reportedly will receive a $31-million signing bonus, which will go toward reducing his base salary for this season and lowering the salary-cap hit.
Manning will average $21 million a year over the four-year extension, or $1 million per year less than what the Packers' Aaron Rodgers makes as the NFL's highest-paid quarterback.
The deal is in line with recent extensions signed by the Steelers' Ben Roethlisberger ($21.85 million per season) and the Chargers' Philip Rivers ($20.85 million). Manning's deal reportedly will include $65 million in guaranteed money, which is what Rivers received. Roethlisberger had $31 million guaranteed.
Notes & quotes: Receiver Victor Cruz and linebacker Jon Beason will miss the Giants' season opener in Dallas. Cruz's absence from the lineup was expected, given that he hasn't practiced with the team since Aug. 17 because of a calf injury. Still, the opener was supposed to be Cruz's first game action since he suffered a season-ending patellar tendon tear 11 months ago. Beason, who suffered a knee injury in the preseason game against Jacksonville, practiced with the team on a limited basis this week. Coughlin said rookie Uani' Unga will start in his place at middle linebacker . . . Linebacker Jonathan Casillas (neck), defensive end Cullen Jenkins (hamstring) and defensive end Owa Odighizuwa (foot) are probable.
Barbara Barker is an award-winning columnist and features writer in the sports department at Newsday. She has covered sports in New York for more than 20 years.