Facing a Wednesday deadline to work out a new contract with future Hall of Fame quarterback Drew Brees, the New Orleans Saints officially announced that they have re-signed the franchise signal caller.
The announcement comes via New Orleans’ official website.
Saints, Drew Brees will continue their tremendous run together https://t.co/ctbIT5swgw by @JohnDeShazier #Saints pic.twitter.com/ZsTnhfxLM0
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) March 13, 2018
There had been speculation that other teams were chasing after the 11-time Pro Bowler once the legal tampering period started on Monday.
The deal is said to be worth $50 million over two seasons after initial reports had it set at $48 million. Either way, Brees definitely took a hometown discount to re-sign with the Saints.
He made it clear why.
“I think that provides, certainly, the team with the most flexibility when it comes to being able to anticipate the future and the ability to acquire free agents and re-sign players on our existing roster that will build a championship team,” Brees said.
Considering Kirk Cousins will receive $28 million annually on his deal with the Vikings and Jimmy Garoppolo re-signed with the 49ers for $27.5 million per season, Brees took a whole heck of a lot less than what his market was valued at.
But there really wasn’t any reason to believe Brees would move on from the Saints. The quarterback and his head coach, Sean Payton, made this pretty clear earlier in the offseason. It’s now officially official.