It doesn’t look like there’s going to be a drawn-out contract stalemate in the Bayou this season. According to Pro Football Talk, the New Orleans Saints and quarterback Drew Brees are closing in on a contract extension.
Brees had previously indicated that no extension talks would take place during the season. With Week 1 set to kick off in a couple days, both sides are facing what seems to be a firm deadline.
Brees, 37, is entering the final season of a five-year, $100 million contract he signed back in 2012. With the way quarterback salaries have jumped in the NFL since, he has to be considered one of the best bargains out there.
That’s unlikely going to remain the case should an extension be worked out here soon. While Pro Football Talk is indicating that the deal could mirror Andrew Luck’s at about $25 million annually, there’s a chance Brees might see a better payday than his Indianapolis Colts counterpart.
Either way, the Saints are surely hoping that a new deal can be worked out here soon. The team doesn’t want to be put in a situation where it has to place the franchise tag on the future Hall of Fame quarterback next March.
That would create even more salary cap issues for a franchise that’s simply not on solid footing when it comes to the cap itself.
There aren’t any indications what the total value of said deal might be, but Brees is said to be looking for north of $85 million guaranteed on a five-year deal.
This shouldn’t be considered too much of a surprise. After all, Brees had previously mentioned that he can play for another five seasons. Also important to note, guaranteed money itself was previously a hold up in negotiation talks (more on that here).
The veteran is entering his 16th season in the NFL and is in the midst of a historical run. He’s tallied 4,000-plus passing yards and 30-plus touchdowns in each of the past eight seasons.