It looks like the New York Giants will need to prepare a bigger budget to fulfill franchise quarterback Eli Manning's desired contract since he wants to be the highest-paid player in the National Football League (NFL), according to reports.
The Giants already expressed their intention of signing Manning to a new deal before or after the 2015 season begins; but according to NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport Monday, there is still a "significant gap" in the negotiations.
According to Rapoport, Manning wanting to be the highest-paid player in the NFL will be the reason why the gap will not be closing anytime soon.
Manning inked a six-year extension deal in 2009 worth $97.5 million and is set to enter the final year of the pact this 2015 season which will earn him $17 million in base salary.
The 34-year-old quarterback has played all 11 of his NFL seasons with the Giants since entering the league as the no. 1 overall pick in the 2004 draft. He has led the team to five playoff appearances, which include two Super Bowl victories (XLII, XLVI).
The highest-paid player in the NFL as of the moment is Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who is making $22 million annually with the deal he signed two years ago.
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson comes next as his new deal, which he signed recently, will earn him $21.9 million annually.
The current top ten highest-paid players in the NFL are all quarterbacks, and completing the top five list along with Rodgers and Russell are Pittsburgh Steelers' Ben Roethlisberger ($21.85 million), San Diego Chargers' Philip Rivers ($20.81 million), and Carolina Panthers' Cam Newton ($20.76 million).
Manning and the Giants will arrive on an agreement along the way but it will not be anytime soon.
But it is certain that New York would be keeping the quarterback after all the success he brought to the team, despite the fact that they have not been able to reach the playoffs in the past three seasons since winning Super Bowl XLVI.
