Eli Manning signs six-year contract extension has 0 comments

Aug 14th 2009, 20:55 | FFN-Score: 12 points

ALBANY, N.Y. -- New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning finally signed the six-year extension that will make him the NFL's highest paid player with an average salary of roughly $15.3 million.

The Giants announced the signing on Friday morning after spending more than a week completing the deal that will keep Manning with the team through the 2015 season.

Manning is guaranteed $35 million under terms of the $97 million extension. News of the deal first broke on Aug. 5.

Giants general manager Jerry Reese said the team and Manning were both glad to have the contract done.

"Our total focus is on our performance on the field and being the best team we can be in 2009," Reese said.

Manning will make $9.4 million this season under the final year of the contract he signed as a rookie in 2004 as the No. 1 overall pick in the draft.

Before the extension, All-Pro cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha of the Oakland Raiders was the NFL's highest paid player on average. He agreed to a three-year, $45.3 million contract earlier this year.

Carolina defensive end Julius Peppers will be the league's highest paid player this season with a one-year $16.7 million contract.

Manning has started the last 71 games for New York, the third-longest streak among active quarterbacks at the end of last season. During that span he also has become the first Giants quarterback to throw for 3,000 yards and at least 20 touchdowns in four consecutive seasons.

Manning has led the Giants to the playoffs in each of his four full seasons as a starter, including a victory over New England in Super Bowl XLII. Last season, he led New York to the NFC East title and earned his first Pro Bowl berth, passing for 3,238 yards and 21 touchdowns.

Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press