Is Eli Manning the best player in the NFL? The quarterback apparently thinks so.
NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport reports that Manning is seeking to become the highest-paid player in the league when he signs his next deal.
“He wants to be paid higher than any QB in the game, wants to be game’s highest-paid player, more than Aaron Rodgers.”
What Manning wants and what he will get may be two entirely different things. However, he may be able to use Philip Rivers’ four-year extension as a baseline. Manning and Rivers were part of the same draft class and have enjoyed similar success over their 11 years in the league. Manning notably helped the Giants win two Super Bowls, which will always be a big point in negotiations.
Rivers got $65 million guaranteed out of his $84 million deal. Aaron Rodgers got $134.5 million over seven years. Those are two contracts you can use as comparisons for establishing what Manning is shooting for.
Most feel like Eli is not in the same class as say Rodgers, Drew Brees, Tom Brady or Andrew Luck. He has too many off years and terrible individual games to be regarded as one of the very best in the league, but he is a good QB and one who can win big when the time comes. Because of that, he will probably get another big deal from the Giants before his current contract expires after the season.
