Eli Manning Expected To Sign Longterm Deal Within Days [AUDIO]

The Giants and quarterback Eli Manning are reportedly close to a longterm deal. This makes sense, right?

"Nobody is giving up a franchise quarterback, nobody’s doing it," said NJ.com's Jordan Raanan, to Armen and Levack on 104.5 The Team. "You’re going to lock into a longterm deal with your guy for as long as you can."

In this case, the Giants are expected to ink Manning to a four-year deal. It was Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger who signed a four-year, $87.4 million dollar deal earlier this summer to help set the market.

Perhaps Roethlisberger, along with Cam Newton and Ryan Tannehill signing deals as well, helped the Giants and Manning figure out an idea of the numbers to aim for, but after not having deep discussions through the summer, the timing seems odd.

"I’m not really sure what the benefit of doing that right now is," said Raanan. "If they gain another five million under the cap, what are you going to do with 10 million under the cap right now? I don’t see that type of player out there right now."

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While it's believed that the Giants are willing to pay a premium to lock up Manning for presumably the rest of his career, Raanan doesn't believe they will have to go too high.

"When it comes down to it for Eli, he’s not going to push for every last dollar. He and his agent have a realistic number to work with."

Manning had the best statistical season of his career in a year where he has not won a Super Bowl. The Giants and Manning are expected to announce a deal before training camp begins this week.