Saints quarterback Drew Brees decided against holding out for the lengthy contract extension he coveted and took one for the team.
Advertisement
One thing, however, the Saints do not have to worry about is the status of quarterback Drew Brees, who agreed to a five-year deal that automatically voids to two years.
The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity on Wednesday because financial details of the extension had not been announced.
The deal will guarantee $44.25 million for Brees through the 2017 season. He will get at least the next two in New Orleans.
“I wanted the contract to reflect that, naturally, and have it be the last contract that I signed”, Brees said.
Can you imagine? Hopefully, because it never happened and since the Saints left their defense in San Francisco, they have been to the playoffs once since then and gone 7-9 three times in four seasons. “It’s been an incredible journey and I hope to continue that journey for quite a bit longer”. “And that’s a great thing for me, for the team, for anybody really”.
A one-year, fully guaranteed $24.25 million extension is good money for the 37-year-old Brees.
The deal also includes a no-trade clause and forbids the Saints from using their franchise tag on the quarterback, according to ESPN. They all happen in due time, they all happen when they’re supposed to.
The Saints are also thin at tight end losing Michael Hoomanawanui to injury in the preseason and being forced to add practice squadder Chris Manhertz to the current roster.
Making Wednesday’s victory even better is that it came with the clock ticking down, just four days before the Saints season opener against the Oakland Raiders.
On Tuesday, the Saints cut kicker Kai Forbath and brought in rookie Wil Lutz.
Without new blood on the interior, the Saints were expected to start 2015 top pick Andrus Peat on the left side and the victor of a training-camp battle between incumbents Tim Lelito and Senio Kelemete on the right side.
New Orleans re-signed guard Jahri Evans on Wednesday, almost seven months to the day after releasing the Saints legend the day after the Super Bowl in a salary-cap move that saved the team $3.1 million at the time.
Since joining the Saints in 2006 as a free agent from the San Diego Chargers, the quarterback has produced the most prolific 10-year runs in National Football League history.
Brees had stated this summer that, in an effort to prevent his contract talks from becoming a distraction, that he would break off negotiations before the first game of the regular season. Most quarterbacks have problems playing up ti age 37, where Brees is today.
The Saints’ prolific QB again led the league in passing last season, but ultimately did not hold out for a contract that would pay him like the NFL’s younger, top-tier QBs.
Andrew Luck of the Indianapolis Colts and Joe Flacco of the Baltimore Ravens have gotten long-term extensions done this offseason. I very much respect Mickey and our management, and (Saints owner) Mr. (Tom) Benson and (wife) Gayle, and Coach Payton.
Advertisement
The guy whose locker was on McCown’s other side, third-string quarterback Garrett Grayson, was let go just five hours earlier. For the protection of AP and its licensors, content may not be copied, altered or redistributed in any form. Doing so may result in civil and/or criminal penalties.
