The New York Giants and Eli Manning are working to complete a contract extension ahead of the season and the deal is reportedly worth over $80 million. The Giants have Manning coming back after a strong season and for fantasy football owners, players like Rashad Jennings, Andre Williams and Shane Vereen are all solid starter picks at running back.
The Giants and Manning have been talking about a new contract all summer and it was expected that the sides would get a deal done. Manning made some public comments about not wanting to negotiate a deal during the season and that likely motivated the sides to get something done. According to Ian Rapoport at NFL.com, Manning and the Giants are "finalizing" a new contract worth $84 million over four years.
Manning was coming into the final year of his contract and it came following a bounce back season in 2014 that saw the quarterback put up some strong numbers. Manning was never going to leave the Giants unless the team really lowballed him, but the team was also motivated to keep their franchise quarterback in place. Manning has won two Super Bowl rings and he now has a few more years to try and add a bit more to his legacy in New York.
The Giants have a deep group at running back and fantasy football owners usually hate when a team is three deep, but in this case it might be a good thing. Rashad Jennings is coming in as the starter and Andre Williams showed some solid potential last year while stepping in for Jennings last year when he was injured. Jennings played in 11 games and if he can stay healthy he will be the lead back. For PPR leagues, Shane Vereen is a worth option, as the Giants offense likes to use screens and he is well suited for that.
NFL.com reports that the contract still has some "details" to get worked out, including about offset language. Nothing is expected to stop the deal from getting done and that is one major distraction that the Giants don't have to worry about. Manning has been able make every start since he took over in 2004 and while he has been up and down at times stats-wise, the quarterback position is something the Giants have not had to worry about in a decade.
Manning had a tough season in 2013 with 27 interceptions and just 18 touchdowns and with the Giants missing the playoffs again, some started to question his future. Manning responded with one of his best seasons last year, putting up 30 touchdowns and passing for 4410 yards under new offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo. Manning set a career high with a 63.1 completion percentage and he now is locked in for another stretch with the Giants.
Check here for more on the Giants, Manning and the RB rotation.
