The NY Giants are trying to get a contract extension done with Eli Manning ahead of the start of training camp and it's possible the quarterback could play out his deal and this comes as New York may look at Jake Long or Evan Mathis as free agent options, while Jason Pierre-Paul is rehabbing in Florida from his hand injury and Odell Beckham is coming back from his hamstring injury.
The Giants have reportedly expressed interest in getting a deal done with Manning and it comes as the quarterback is entering the final year of his contract. Manning is interested in returning for the Giants and the team wants him back, the main question is about compensation. Fellow 2014 draft picks Ben Roethlisberger just got a major extension and Philip Rivers is also entering the final year of his deal. According to Steve Serby of the New York Post, Giants co-owner John Mara said that the team may not get a deal done before camp starts on Thursday, but that it could get done "before the season."
UPDATE: James Jones is meeting with the team and could be an option to get signed.
Mara added that there are no "deadlines" on the talks and it sounds like the team is confident that a deal will get done. With camp starting up this week and players reporting on Thursday, the Giants and Manning likely will not complete and agreement on an extension. Dan Graziano at ESPN.com reports that signing Manning to an extension likely will lower his yearly cap number moving forward. Manning had a bounce back season in 2014 after a terrible 2013 performance and Jerry Reese has no intentions of letting him hit free agency.
The Giants could still look at free agent options heading into training camp, as players like Evan Mathis and Jake Long are on the market. According to Ralph Vacchiano of the New York Daily News, the Giants had Long in for a second visit this week and that after his visit he will meet with the Denver Broncos next. The Broncos have dealt with injuries on the offensive line with Ryan Clady tearing an ACL and they could bring in Long as an option in camp.
The Giants have a need on the offensive line after losing Will Beatty to a torn pectoral and adding Long could be an option at tackle. Mathis is a guard, but he could help stabilize things by keeping certain players from shifting positions for the Giants. The report says that the "door hasn't been closed" for Long signing with the Giants, but Vacchiano writes that he "isn't in a rush" to sign and will "consider his options." Long also visited with the Atlanta Falcons this week.
The Giants still have Jason Pierre-Paul away from the team and he has yet to sign his one-year franchise tender. According to Dan Graziano at ESPN.com, JPP is rehabbing from his injuries stemming from a fireworks accident "on his own" and away from the team in Florida. Graziano writes that Pierre-Paul "isn't likely" to sign his deal until he can pass a physical and it comes after the Giants previously pulled a long term offer following the fireworks accident.
Mara's full comments about Manning and the deal: "I would doubt that that would happen in that quick a time frame," Mara said. "We would hope to have it done at some point before the season. But if not, it'll hopefully get done at some point after that." Per Serby from the Post.
Check here for more on the Giants training camp and Manning's contract.
