With the start of the NFL regular season quickly approaching, it is looking more like the New Orleans Saints and quarterback Drew Brees may not come to terms on a new contract.
However, Saints general manager Mickey Loomis doesn’t believe that the unsettled situation with Brees should interrupt the flow during training camp.
“We haven’t made any progress. I don’t see it being a distraction. Look, lots of players play into the last year of their contract,” Loomis said, via ESPN. “It happened last time with us (before Brees was franchised in 2012). It’s not our preference, but look, it happens. Nothing unusual here.”
Brees will be playing in the final season of a five-year, $100 million deal he signed back in 2012. According to the future Hall of Fame quarterback, it has been three months since the two parties discussed an extension.
By the sound of Loomis’ comments, it appears the ball is in Brees’ court. Brees had mentioned earlier this summer that the beginning of the season would mark the deadline for him to discuss his contract.
Loomis would not discuss any of the financials regarding a new deal for Brees.
It might be pure conjecture, but the 37-year-old quarterback could potentially play for another four-plus seasons. If that’s the case, guaranteed money itself could be the sticking point.
As it currently stands, Brees has shown no sign that he has hit a plateau in his career. The numbers he continues to churn out are quite phenomenal. He completed 68.3 percent of his passes for a total of 4,870 yards, 32 touchdowns and only 11 interceptions last season.
If the two parties cannot come to terms before the start of the regular season, Brees’ performance this year will surely play a role in what type of a deal will be negotiated next March.
The Saints could also place the dreaded franchise tag on Brees, setting up a situation that might very well become sticky.
The best-case scenario here would be for both sides to hash out whatever differences currently exist and come to terms on a long-term deal before Week 1.