Eli Deal Finally Done

ALBANY – It’s official – finally. More than a week after the terms of Eli Manning’s new contract were agreed upon, the Giants and their franchise signal-caller officially put ink to paper early Friday morning in Albany.

The six-year extension, which is worth $97.5 million, has Manning under contract through the 2015 season and makes him among the highest-paid players in the game.

Including Manning's $9.4-million base salary for this season, his new deal is a seven-year, $106.9-million contract. The average of $15.3 million per season is slightly higher than Raiders corner back Nnamdi Asomugha's rate of $15.1 million per year. Asomugha's deal, which he signed in February, made him the highest-paid player (based on average pay per season) for the past six months.

“All of us – Eli and this organization – are pleased to have this officially done,” Giants GM Jerry Reese said. “Our total focus is on our performance on the field and being the best team we can be in 2009.”

Needless to say Manning was unavailable for comment when the news broke around 7 a.m. but he’s expected to discuss his new deal during lunch after today’s morning workout. More to come…