Eli Manning: Is the Giants Quarterback Overpaid?

Jun 18, 2014; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning (10) answers questions from media during New York Giants mini camp at Quest Diagnostics Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports

Recently at the four letter, Nathan Janke of Pro Football Focus wrote an Insider story titled: NFL’s 10 most overpaid players. Within the article they feature this information on New York Football Giants quarterback, Eli Manning, who they had ranked atop the list at number one:

"1. Eli Manning, QB, New York Giants2013 cap hit: $20.8 million2013 JVM: $5.4MValue differential: $15.4MIt seemed as if Manning was improving year after year and had worked his way into the second tier of quarterbacks. He seemed to hit a peak in his Super Bowl season of 2011, and then took a minor step back in 2012. This was followed by 2013, which was a major step in the wrong direction.Manning’s accuracy percentage of 57.5 was second-worst among starting quarterbacks, and his inaccuracy led to 27 interceptions (more INTs than any QB has had in a season since 2005). He threw the ball better than average on intermediate and — at times — deep throws, which still made him worth a decent amount of money, but not anywhere close to his cap hit of $20.8 million.He has two more years on his contract, where he is owed roughly the same amount in annual value as he was in 2013. He is 33, the age where quarterbacks typically start to decline, so even if he has a slight rebound, he would continue to be the most overpaid player in the NFL."

"1Jay Cutler, Quarterback$17,500,0002Eli Manning, Quarterback$15,150,0003Peyton Manning, Quarterback$15,000,0004Mike Wallace, Wide Receiver$15,000,0005Sam Bradford, Quarterback$14,015,0006Philip Rivers, Quarterback$13,800,0007Chris Long, Defensive End$13,200,0008Greg Hardy, Defensive End$13,116,000franchise tag9Gerald McCoy, Defensive Tackle$12,732,25310Ndamukong Suh, Defensive Tackle$12,550,000"

At Spotrac, the above list accounts for the highest paid NFL athletes for the 2014 season.  As you can see, Jay Cutler is the highest paid this season, but there is no denying that Eli Manning makes bank. Everyone know that. What’s not exactly known is who the most overpaid athlete in the NFL is. ESPN says Eli Manning. What do you think, Giants Nation?

To gain some insight, I’m going to offer the question to my Co-Editor and diehard Giants fan, who you can follow on Twitter @AdamGaneles. The question is pretty simple and straight-forward. Adam, is Eli Manning the most overpaid QB in the NFL? Why or why not?

"The nature of contracts in the NFL is that towards the end… being overpaid is almost inevitable. Is Eli Manning overpaid? In the technical sense, of course. He’s 33-years old and coming off a season where he didn’t resemble an upper echelon signal caller 95% of the time. But salaries aren’t so black and white. To say he’s built up currency as a two-time Super Bowl champion and MVP would be a Giant understatement. Even during his prolific passing seasons there were sequences of games where he looked like a Pee Wee League quarterback. Behind an augmented offensive line — potentially — he could return to 2011 form. At the end of the day… he’ll always be love/hate Eli."

Credit: NFL Game Rewind (Week 6 at Chicago)