In less than 24 hours, Drew Brees will be able to negotiate with any team around the NFL, just like every other upcoming free agent in this year’s draft class. No official deal can be done with other clubs until the new league year on March 14, but agreements are often struck well before then.
With that in mind, it’s pretty notable that the New Orleans Saints still have not come to some sort of deal of their own with the soon-to-be free agent.
Less than 16 hours before the negotiating window opens, no deal is done yet between the #Saints and Drew Brees, per source. Still time to get it done in the morning. Otherwise, other teams can start (legally) making their pitch to the 39-year-old QB at noon Eastern.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 12, 2018
Now, it’s worth pointing out that Brees has said many times that he wants to finish his career in the Bayou. With that said, we have no doubt that at least a couple teams with deep pockets and championship aspirations will reach out to Brees starting on Monday, noon eastern time, if he’s still unsigned by New Orleans.
And let’s not kid ourselves about there being a possibility that one of those offers is intriguing enough to Brees that he gives it some serious consideration. What if the Denver Broncos come calling, having potentially missed out on the Kirk Cousins sweepstakes?
Perhaps the Saints and Brees have an understanding between them. Perhaps he’s not signing because he wants to let New Orleans bring in other free agents (Jimmy Graham, perhaps?) and then work out the contract details afterward, so as to be helpful to his team. That’s certainly possible.
However, Saints fans must be feeling at least a little bit nervous as the hour of truth approaches.