Giants, Eli Manning have extension coming soon

The New York Giants and quarterback Eli Manning are on the verge of a four-year contract extension worth $84 million, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. The guaranteed money and intricate details of the deal are unknown, but the $21 million per year average would rank fourth behind only Ben Roethlisberger, Aaron Rodgers, and Russell Wilson.

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Manning will be 38 years old when the extension expires. Considering his brother, Peyton Manning, is 39 at still playing, there is a decent chance that Eli remains the signal-caller for New York for the duration of the deal. Since being drafted with the first-overall pick in the 2004 NFL Draft by the San Diego Chargers (and immediately flipped to the Giants), Manning has won a pair of Super Bowls and was named MVP in each game.

Manning has been often criticized for throwing too many interceptions, something that has been an issue throughout his career. In 2013, Manning threw 27 interceptions to lead the league against only 18 touchdowns. Manning also threw 25 interceptions in 2010. However, Manning has tossed 259 career touchdown passes and racked up 39,755 passing yards, joining Phil Simms and Y.A. Tittle as all-time Giants quarterbacks.

The only elephant in the room with this deal is what happens should Tom Coughlin get fired after this season? The new coach then comes in with an aging quarterback who has not been great in recent years, and at least a few more years with him until the contract can be voided without a major cap hit.

New front offices and coaching staffs generally want to start fresh at quarterback unless an absolute stud is in place, such as a Roethlisberger or Rodgers. General manager Jerry Reese is making the correct move by signing Manning into a long-term deal, but it could put New York in tough position down the road.