New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning has agreed to a four-year, $84 million deal with the Giants, according to Chris Mortensen of ESPN. Ian Rapoport of NFL Network confirmed the report, and added a full no-trade clause was part of the deal as well.  

Albert Breer of NFL Network noted Manning would be the ninth player, all quarterbacks, to sign a deal averaging over $20 million since Drew Brees became the first to hit that mark three years ago.

On Sept. 9, Ralph Vacchiano of the New York Daily News reported the "significant gap" between the two sides had "narrowed considerably" and noted while there's optimism about a deal getting done, there are still issues that must be resolved:

It wasn't immediately clear what those issues are, but the final numbers of Manning's deal seem to be pretty set thanks to the two deals signed in the last year by the other Class of 2004 quarterbacks. In March, the Steelers signed Ben Roethlisberger to a four-year, $87.4 million contract extension with $65 million in guaranteed money. And in July, Philip Rivers signed a four-year, $83.25 million extension with San Diego with $65 million in guaranteed money.

That puts Manning's final numbers likely in the range of $21-22 million per year over four or five years with $65 million in guarantees. It is believed that the distribution of those guarantees — how much in signing bonus, how much in future guaranteed salary or other bonuses — is one of the biggest remaining hurdles in striking a deal.

Vacchiano first reported "there (was) a 'significant gap' between what Manning’s camp believes he is worth and what the Giants are willing to pay," on Aug. 17, adding, "that’s bizarre because the bar of Manning’s worth is pretty well set by a slew of deals signed by franchise quarterbacks in the last three years."

In an interview with Vacchiano on June 27, Manning's agent, Tom Condon, expressed optimism regarding Manning's long-term contractual security with the Giants. 

"The quarterbacks always get done," Condon said, per Vacchiano. "And the Giants are not a skittish team. So it’s not one of those things where they get nervous or they jump around or anything like that. You know you’re going to go in and it’s going to get done. I’m sure at the appropriate time it’ll happen."

Manning Comments on Negotiations as Talks Progress

Wednesday, Sept. 9

"It doesn't matter one way or the other," Manning said when asked about potentially getting a contract done prior to the season opener against Dallas on Sept. 13, via Vacchiano.

"I'm not a big fan of negotiations going on during the season," Manning told WFAN on Sept. 8, per Tom Rock of Newsday. "I'm hoping if this thing is going to get done, it's going to get done very quickly. I would think both sides would want to do it that way and not have these talks continue on." 

Manning added the two sides had made some progress, per Jordan Raanan of NJ.com. 

Manning Denies Wanting to Be Highest-Paid Player in NFL

Wednesday, Aug. 19

“The reports are all wrong," Manning said, according to Dan Graziano of ESPN. "Never been said, never come out of my mouth, never said it to my agent. I don't compare myself to other quarterbacks that way, in terms of salaries."

When asked about the reports, the quarterback said, "I just laugh at them," according to Vacchiano.

Manning said he had no idea where the rumor came from, per Raanan.

On Aug. 17, Rapoport first reported the quarterback wanted to be the highest-paid player in the league. "Until he comes down from that, the two sides are likely still going to be far apart. He at this point seems OK w/ that," Rapoport reported, per NFL Media PR on Twitter. 

Mara Comments on Manning Contract Talks

Thursday, July 30

"I think we'll get it done at some time," Giants co-owner John Mara said, via Raanan. Mara added that Manning's agent is "asking for the moon right now."

Despite the demands, Mara said, "We want him to be here and finish his career as a Giant and I'm sure he wants the same," per Ebenezer Samuel of the New York Daily News.

While Manning is entering this season at 34 years old, he still has plenty more left to offer the Giants. Last season, Manning threw for 4,410 yards and 30 touchdowns, each of which was the second-best mark of his career. Manning also demonstrated much more control under center, tossing his fewest interceptions (14) since 2009. 

From yardage (39,755) and touchdown (259) perspectives, Manning is already the most accomplished quarterback in franchise history, and now he's being paid like it.