Eli Manning Becomes Highest Paid Player in the NFL

Big news broke out of the NFL today as the New York Giants signed franchise quarterback Eli Manning to a contract extension and officially made him the highest paid player in the entire league. Since Manning took over the starting job in New York in the middle of the 2004 season he has won a Super Bowl, been named Super Bowl MVP and taken his team to the playoffs every year. But does he really deserve to make the most money out of anything in the entire league? Even more than his older brother Peyton? That still remains to be seen.

The Giants inked their former #1 overall draft pick to a sparkling 6 year contract extension that will pay him $97 million dollars. That will equal out to an average of just about $15.3 million per year. Overall Manning will be guaranteed at least $35 million dollars in the deal and will be a Giant until at least the 2015 season. Manning just barely beat out Nnamdi Asomugha for the highest paid player position after the Oakland Raider signed a 3 year deal for just about $45.3 million earlier this year. In comparison Peyton Manning earns approximately $14 million per season playing for the Indianapolis Colts.

Eli Manning has been shunning the media during contract talks and refusing to discuss the situation until the contract is completely finalized and everything is finished. There is sure to be a little bit of backlash for New York media and fans due to the massive deal, and many will question if Eli is really worth that kind of movie. However, adversity is something that the all star QB is used to and has dealt with just fine over the past 4 or 5 years. Maybe it is his ability to deal with the media and ignore pressure that made the Giants feel that he deserved so much money.