C.J. Wilson (DB)

NFC Notes: Eli, Mathis, Wagner, Wilson

Two-time Super Bowl-winning quarterback Eli Manning is entering a contract year, which means his 12th season with the Giants could be his last with the team. Adding fuel to the fire is that Manning and the Giants haven’t yet engaged in “meaningful, substantive contract talks,” Rand Getlin of NFL.com reports (Twitter link). However, Getlin noted in a separate tweet that the two sides do want to get a new contract done. Manning, who threw for 4,400-plus yards and 30 touchdowns against just 14 interceptions last year, has a $17MM base salary this season and will count $19.75MM against the Giants’ cap.

Here’s more on the Giants and a couple of their NFC counterparts:

  • Don’t expect the Giants to land free agent guard and ex-Eagle Evan Mathis, per ESPN’s Dan Graziano – who tweeted that New York isn’t serious about signing the two-time Pro Bowler and longtime NFC East rival.
  • Both the Seahawks and linebacker Bobby Wagner are optimistic about getting a new deal done prior to the season, a source told ESPN’s Josina Anderson (Twitter link). Wagner, 25, is entering a contract year fresh off a breakout 2014 that saw him earn Pro Bowl and First-Team All-Pro honors.
  • Buccaneers defensive back C.J. Wilson, who lost two fingers in a July 4 fireworks accident and announced earlier today he was taking some time away from the game, isn’t ruling out a return to football later this year. He could end up on Tampa’s practice squad if he does come back, per Roy Cummings of the Tampa Tribune (Twitter link).