New York Giants: How long should Eli Manning be kept around?

Eli Manning will be the starting quarterback for the New York Giants at the beginning 2018. How much longer should the team keep him around, though?

The New York Giants allowed Eli Manning’s roster bonus to kick in for 2018. So that means for at least one more season, he’s on the team. Should the Giants be thinking past 2018 for Eli Manning, and for how much longer?

Drew Brees just received a two-year deal with the Saints at the age of 39, and Tom Brady will be 42 when his contract is up in New England. Manning will only be 39 when his current contract expires. So, it’s not out of the realm of possibility for him to think he can get another extension.

Frankly, the way the NFL protects pocket quarterbacks, it’s not out of the realm of possibility to see more guys play into their 40s. Manning had a down year in 2017, but you can point that to the rest of the team — the offensive line in particular — being awful.

Honestly, we don’t know what the state of NFL contract will be past the 2020 season, because we don’t know what the new salary rules will be after the current collective bargaining agreement is up. That’s part of the reason deals in this free agency period have been shorter.

Depending on what the new CBA brings to the NFL, it could be feasible to keep Manning if he’s still playing well. Despite the poor play from the offensive line, and only having one weapon to throw to (Odell Beckham Jr.), Eli Manning threw for nearly 3,500 yards and 19 touchdowns in 2017. So, what would he be capable of with a good running game, offensive line, and another weapon?

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Don’t be surprised if the Giants try to make another run at a Lombardi Trophy with Manning, or even contend for multiple titles. Eli could be capable of bringing another one (or more) to East Rutherford.