The Sports Xchange

The New York Giants and quarterback Eli Manning reportedly are closing in on a new contract extension.

NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport reported Wednesday that “significant progress” was made on a new deal, citing sources informed of the negotiations.

According to the report, there is optimism on both sides that a new deal could be reached by Sunday, when the Giants open the season in Dallas against the Cowboys.

Manning said Tuesday that he wanted to sign a deal before the start of the season.

“I’m not a big fan of contract negotiations during the season,” Manning said on WFAN. “I’m hoping if this thing is gonna get done, it’s gonna get done quickly.”

On Wednesday, the Giants quarterback said he has not set a deadline for his camp and the team to agree on a new deal.

“I haven’t thought about it,” Manning said Wednesday when asked about the possibility of a deadline.

Manning pushed back on reports last month that he wanted to be the highest-paid player in the NFL.

“The reports are all wrong,” Manning said three weeks ago. “That’s never been said, it’s never come out of my mouth, I’ve never said it to my agent, I don’t know where people are getting their information.”

Manning is in the final year on his second NFL contract. Without a new contract, his franchise tag number next season would be about $24 million.

As mega-contract figures rolled in this offseason, from Ben Roethlisberger to Russell Wilson and Cam Newton to Philip Rivers, the Giants quarterback was an invested observer.

The San Diego Chargers signed Rivers to a four-year extension last month that will keep him with the team through 2019. The deal is worth $84 million, with $65 million guaranteed.

Manning, 34, completed a career-best 63.1 percent of his passes for 4,410 yards, 30 touchdowns and 14 interceptions in 2014.