| 1 | New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning (10) throws against the Cincinnati Bengals during the first half of an NFL preseason football game in Cincinnati, Friday, Aug. 14, 2015. |
| 2 | EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) -- Eli Manning didn't ask the New York Giants to make him the NFL's highest-paid quarterback. |
| 3 | A perplexed and slightly miffed Manning on Wednesday shot down a report that he wants to be the league's top-paid quarterback, insisting that was not the goal in contract talks. |
| 4 | ''Never been said, never come out of my mouth,'' Manning said Wednesday. |
| 5 | The two-time Super Bowl MVP is in the final year of a contract that will pay him a $17 million base salary. |
| 6 | His agent, Tom Condon, has been negotiating a new deal, but the two sides are not close to an agreement, Giants co-owner John Mara said Monday. |
| 7 | Manning insisted neither he nor Condon told the Giants to make him the highest-paid quarterback. |
| 8 | He said he speaks with Condon occasionally, but he isn't looking for constant updates on the talks. |
| 9 | ''If something comes up, I ask him to call me and keep me updated or send me a text, but that's it,'' Manning said. |
| 10 | Aaron Rodgers of the Packers currently is the NFL's highest-paid quarterback, earning $22 million annually. |
| 11 | The 34-year-old Manning has spent all 12 of his NFL seasons with the Giants, so he knows how people in the New York-area react to headlines. |
| 12 | For those who know him, it's totally out of character to make such a demand. |
| 13 | Manning even received a telephone message from his father asking what was happening. |
| 14 | ''I don't know how all negotiating goes and what is being asked,'' Manning said. |
| 15 | ''I don't think I want to know. |
| 16 | Manning said he does not compare himself to other quarterbacks by salary, and right now he is not thinking or concerned about his contract. |
| 17 | ''My focus is on practice and getting the best out of our practices and getting better,'' Manning said. |
| 18 | ''That's all I am focused on. |
| 19 | Nothing has changed. |
| 20 | Nothing is different. |
| 21 | Reports are all wrong. |
| 22 | I don't know where they are getting their information from. |