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The consensus with the New York Giants and their fans is that Eli Manning will continue to be a Giant for many years to come. So it came as a bit of a surprise to many that the Giants did not extend Manning’s contract, as he’s entering the final year of his deal. While this may be a head-scratcher, Manning will not let the uncertainty of his contract situation with the Giants become a distraction or an issue to the team.
Players in the NFL have often held out for the situation Manning is currently in. The risks in being in a do-or-die year are tenfold. One injury can really alter a career and players can be left with nothing after having a once promising career. Manning, whom has been treated very well by the Giants thus far, has done nothing but respect the decisions of the front office.
Despite Manning’s decency, this move does come as a bit of a surprise by the Giants. They are looking to improve in other areas and want to weigh out their best options going forward, but believe it or not, they are leaving Manning in a dark place.
The Giants are taking advantage of the fact that they simply don’t expect anything drastic to happen to Manning. Naturally as the NFL’s active iron man supporting the third-longest consecutive game streak by a quarterback, it’s hard to blame them. But, keep in mind, the Indianapolis Colts naturally felt the same way with Peyton Manning a few years ago.
The point is drastic turns in an NFL career can occur in the blink of an eye. But Manning has given the Giants far too much to be in this stressful situation as a player. He will act like it’s no big deal, and he will not make a stink about it to the media, but there are many players in this league that would.
And that’s because the window of opportunity for a player is incredibly small. Sure fans complain about the inflation surrounding players’ contracts, but truthfully they have to do what’s best for them in the heat of their moment. This is why so many players so often end up on different teams so frequently.
The Giants are showing a great deal of trust in Manning assuming they don’t update his contract before he hits free agency. Manning has also voiced a great deal of commitment to the Giants and that he will not play for any other team in the NFL.
I’m sure his older brother would have said the same thing prior to his spinal stenosis severely altering his career. As dramatic a comparison as that is, it says a lot about the business side of football if the Colts were willing to let go a surefire Hall of Famer. No one is safe.
Some Giants’ fans hoped Manning would take a pay cut prior to the start of the 2015 season to make room for improvement in other areas. It’s something Manning has done more than once over his time with the Giants, so that expectancy wasn’t that far off. But the Giants letting Manning’s contract play out is basically the same thing. The Giants are already looking at future cap space situations as they look to sign what could be an immediate impact player at the ninth overall pick in the draft. The uncertainty of who they get, how the team does this year, and Tom Coughlin’s future, are all reasons the Giants are just hanging tight until 2015 is a wrap.
Manning is one of the classiest football players to ever live. He has done a lot for this team regarding pay cuts, and his cooperation as he enters a contract year is just as significant. He will re-sign with the Giants following this season, but keep in mind he is helping the Giants a lot by letting things play out.
