Drew Brees Still Awaits New Contract

The Saints have had one of the most distressful off-seasons with all of the bounty issues, and it hasn't gotten much easier for them as their franchise quarterback Drew Brees indicated recently that he will sit out training camp if he does not receive a new multi-year contract.

New Orleans offered him a one-year franchise tender, which Brees declined. He has vividly expressed that he wants a long-term deal and not just the one-year franchise tender. It makes a lot of sense for someone who came off a record-breaking year in terms of passing yards to want the security of a multi-year deal.

The Saints have until July 16 to work out a long-term contract with Brees, or he will be required to play the season under his $16.371 million exclusive-rights franchise tender. These exclusive-rights restricts the free agent from signing with another team. The July 16 deadline is crucial because although Brees has said previously that he will not miss any games in the upcoming season, he also mentioned that he will not play under a franchise tender.

There is a chance that Brees could hold out the season if he doesn't get what he wants. I don't think the Saints want to pass through the July 16 deadline without a new offer and leave it in the hands of their franchise quarterback.

The Saints' season is dependant on Brees so I don't see there being a choice in the matter. Without him the Saints are easily a sub-.500 team. Many of the NFL analysts and reporters have indicated that the Saints will offer Brees a multi-year offer by the July 16 deadline, and if that ends up being the case, they're certainly waiting until the very last minute to do so.

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