Written by Larry Holder at NOLA.com
The New Orleans Saints wanted Drew Brees as their quarterback. That was never the issue. They also had to be realists and gauge their 37-year-old signal-caller year to year at this stage of his career.
Brees has expressed publicly that he wanted to play the rest of his career (until he’s 40 and possibly beyond) with the Saints. He wanted to remain with the team that helped him craft a likely Hall of Fame resume.
The Saints and Brees signed off on what is for all intents and purposes a one-year extension through the 2017 season; Brees will receive $44.25 million guaranteed for this season and next, a source confirmed. The deal in total is for five years, but seasons 2018-20 are voidable by the team.
It’s human nature to proclaim a winner and a loser in everything nowadays.
You look at the structure of this deal and probably came away thinking the Saints “won.” It’s a short-term deal. Brees’ cap number in 2016 would drop from $30 million to a reported $17.25 million this season. And would likely be manageable in 2017.
Drew Brees’ contract extension keeps him with Saints through 2017, source confirms
Season starts Sunday against Oakland Raiders.
Brees spoke with humility while addressing the new contract Wednesday. He also sounded like someone who acquiesced on some demands to make his contract team-friendly.
The Saints quarterback said he still planned on playing beyond his extension, but the contract he penned was the best route for the organization.
The lack of a real confirmation from the Saints that Brees will still be the quarterback in New Orleans past 2017 was admittedly a major concession for him. Brees’ only real security is the no-trade clause in the contract and the guaranteed dollars.
The three additional years on the deal allows the Saints to space out the contract over five years rather than just two. That’s a huge plus for the team.
Brees said this salary-cap friendly component was an issue he “absolutely” spoke about with his agent, Tom Condon.
“The cap situation to me was the most important element to this,” Brees said, “over the next few years putting our team in the best position to be able to keep talent and acquire talent and the right type of guys that fit what we’re trying to accomplish here.”
I can hear some of you screaming, “Why didn’t Brees make this cap-friendly deal before free agency?” I don’t have the answer to that. The Saints, however, will be in better position to navigate free agency next offseason because of Brees’ new contract.
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