Drew Brees is about to become a free agent unless the New Orleans Saints lock him up before the start of the new league year this March. While the legendary quarterback has already stated he wants to stay in New Orleans until he’s no longer wanted, Joe Thomas is doing everything he can to convince himself and others that Brees could be lured to Cleveland to quarterback for the Browns.
On Thursday, Thomas engaged in a lively Twitter debate on this subject.
If Drew Brees wanted to stay in New Orleans so bad he would’ve re-signed during the season. At the end of the season, do you expect him to say anything besides he “wants to remain in New Orleans?” @KenCarman @923TheFan @SportsBoyTony #ThomaHawk
— Joe Thomas (@joethomas73) January 18, 2018
Peyton Manning, Joe Montana, Brett Favre, Drew Brees???
— Joe Thomas (@joethomas73) January 18, 2018
Former NFL quarterback Dan Orlovsky disagreed wholeheartedly with Thomas’ assertion that Brees could play in Cleveland, or anywhere else, for that matter.
That’s bc their teams wanted to move on from them. NO hasn’t shown or hinted at anything like that. The fans will BOYCOTT beyond words….absolutely uproar would happen, and they would take a contending team and hand it over to who??
— Dan Orlovsky (@danorlovsky7) January 18, 2018
However, Thomas would not be deterred. He noted the incredible amount of cap space the Browns have at their disposal.
Don’t they have that guy on practice squad who looked good in OTAs?😂
So are we saying that Brees is trying to maximize leverage against the team by waiting to re-sign until free agency? What’s he going to sign for, $30mm/yr? Does he turn down $35mm/yr from @Browns? https://t.co/qocMMTrKQP— Joe Thomas (@joethomas73) January 18, 2018
In the end, Thomas did admit he’s not sure Brees would ever consider the Browns but did make his point that people shouldn’t assume the quarterback will be back with the Saints in 2018.
Let’s be clear, I’m not arguing he’s definitely coming to cleveland, there’d be a lot of teams that would bid for his services, but @Browns are the team with the most cap space. https://t.co/ae7P4BKosI
— Joe Thomas (@joethomas73) January 18, 2018
For what it’s worth — whether it means anything or not — Sean Payton patently refused to discuss Brees potentially returning to the Saints earlier this week. So, it’s not like the team is doing everything it can to throw support behind the veteran quarterback.
The offseason should be quite entertaining. Especially if Joe Thomas continues to stir the pot.