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Although the Saints could use the franchise tag on Brees to maintain some exclusive negotiating rights, Brees said Thursday it's important for both sides to get his deal done so they can focus their resources on other priority free agents, including guard Carl Nicks and receivers Marques Colston and Robert Meachem.

"Yes, yes, absolutely," Brees said when asked if it's important to him to get the deal done in that timetable. "My goal, and I know just from my conversations with (Saints General Manager Mickey Loomis), is that we get a deal done prior to free agency. That's absolutely the goal. And there's no doubt in my mind that we will."

Brees said his agent, Tom Condon, and the Saints have just resumed their contract talks that were paused midway through the season to avoid the distraction.

"We've just started talking. But I really think things after the Super Bowl will pick up full steam ahead," Brees said.



New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees confident in reaching deal before free agency - New Orleans Saints Football NFL News - NOLA.com