Brees had previously indicated that no extension talks would take place during the season. It’s a good way to give a vote of confidence to a coach without breaking the bank with a long-term commitment. Other players have since passed that contract.
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According to sources, the New Orleans Saints reached an agreement with Drew Brees and signed the quarterback to a new contract on Wednesday. The extension will be announced as a five-year deal but contains an automatic void to two years. Because of Brees’ age, the length of his contract and the total amount of guaranteed money was expected to be a sticking point in negotiations between Saints general manager Mickey Loomis and Brees’ agent, Tom Condon. His offensive line has done a great job of protecting him but as of late his sack numbers have increased each season. Will his salary also handcuff the team from signing players around him to make the Saints better?
The contract runs for five years, starting this season, and includes a $30 million bonus that, for now, can be prorated over that period. Despite a lack of support, he was the NFL’s sixth-highest-rated passer in 2015.
If that is the case, then Saints may not want to hear this – we may be in for a very long season.
Brees, who’s done so much for the city both on and off the field, will get to stick around in New Orleans a little bit longer.
The window remains open, but it is closing quickly. Brees is the most accurate passer of all time with a 66.4 completion percentage. Another team might have backed up the money truck for Brees next spring.
Drew Brees’ new deal is very team-friendly – basically just a one-year extension. And at this stage, declines are often sudden and steep. He won Super Bowl XLIV with them in 2010, defeating the Indianapolis Colts.
And for now, that’s at least two more years, which guarantees Breesus will be around the Big Easy until he’s 39.
That’s why the Saints are better off taking a short-term approach. They were wise not to push him out of the building. “I’m just honored that they would have that type of faith and confidence in me, to want to continue to have me be the quarterback of this team”. So it’s understandable why he didn’t make that concession until right before his self-imposed deadline.
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But Grayson’s time in New Orleans might not be over.
