Mario Manningham has sent some mixed messages about the likelihood that he’ll stay with the Giants as a free agent over the last few weeks, but he said Monday night that he wants to be back with the Super Bowl champs.
At a party for the release of a DVD commemorating the team’s win over the Patriots, Manningham answered questions about his desire to stay in New York. Manningham, who told an Ohio newspaper that there was a 75 percent chance he’d be leaving the team as a free agent before trying to walk it back, told Ohm Youngsimuk of ESPNNewYork.com that there has been no progress toward a new contract in his discussions with the team. That doesn’t change his desire to remain with the team.
“I want to be here,” Manningham said. “Because I feel like we can do a lot of damage in these next four to five years. That is just how I feel. We are all young. It is not up to me. I want to stay.”
If all things were equal, Manningham would probably remain in New York. Another team, without two other star receivers and the Giants’ salary cap issues, is likely to make a more lucrative offer for his services and that means Manningham, whose desire to remain with the Giants has never come with an indication that he’s looking for a below-market deal, is likely to be in a different uniform come next season.