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New York Giants: 3 reasons for, against Eli Manning’s return

By Henry Buggy

SANTA CLARA, CA - NOVEMBER 12: Eli Manning #10 of the New York Giants greets members of the military prior to their NFL game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on November 12, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA - NOVEMBER 12: Eli Manning #10 of the New York Giants greets members of the military prior to their NFL game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on November 12, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /
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#2 – Clear Cap Space

WASHINGTON, DC – MAY 20: Newly redesigned $100 notes lay in stacks at the Bureau of Engraving and Printing on May 20, 2013 in Washington, DC. The one hundred dollar bills will be released this fall and has new security features, such as a duplicating portrait of Benjamin Franklin and microprinting added to make the bill more difficult to counterfeit. (Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – MAY 20: Newly redesigned $100 notes lay in stacks at the Bureau of Engraving and Printing on May 20, 2013 in Washington, DC. The one hundred dollar bills will be released this fall and has new security features, such as a duplicating portrait of Benjamin Franklin and microprinting added to make the bill more difficult to counterfeit. (Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images) /

The Giants can save $9.8 million in cap space in 2018 if they decide to release Manning. But the team would still be left with $12.4 million in dead cap space after his departure, according to ESPN’s Dan Graziano.

Still, the money saved could be put to use along the offensive line or in free agency, and if the Giants could work out a trade with another franchise, Big Blue could clear the books on the final two years of his deal. Of course, Manning would have to clear the trade. But if New York’s newly named general manager no longer wants No. 10 in New York, the two sides could try to find a team and trade that pleases both sides.

Manning is currently slated to have the seventh biggest cap hit ($22.2 million) at the quarterback position in 2018, and the Giants can not afford to pay top dollar to a quarterback that has made the playoffs once in the past six seasons.

Trading or releasing Manning would also allow No. 10 the chance to finish his career with a contender. The Jaguars could potentially make a perfect fit for Manning in 2018, but that will likely depend on the play of Blake Bortles in the postseason.

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