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My first reaction to quarterback Peyton Manning's reported five-year, $96 million deal with the Denver Broncos: The bar has just been raised even higher for the New Orleans Saints' quarterback Drew Brees.



Drew Brees and the Saints have been dragging out their contract standoff for months with no end in sight.
At $19 million per year, Manning's deal is the richest in NFL history, surpassing his five-year, $90 million deal with the Indianapolis Colts last year. Brees will get more than that, and he should.



My second reaction to Manning's deal: See how easy that was?

Manning and the Broncos worked out the finer points of that contract within 24 hours after he called them Monday morning to let them know they won the quarterback lottery.

Meanwhile, Brees and the Saints have been dragging out their contract standoff for months with no end in sight.

Brees' situation is different. Manning was an unrestricted free agent, free to sign anywhere he wanted, and Brees can't negotiate with any other teams since the Saints used the exclusive rights franchise tag on him. Still, it's the same general principle.

If Saints General Manager Mickey Loomis and Brees' agent Tom Condon, who also represents Manning, decided to lock themselves in a room and get this deal done by tomorrow, they could.

Instead, both have chosen to draw a line in the sand, with the divide reportedly falling somewhere between $18.5 million and $23 million per year.

I get that. They haven't faced any real deadlines yet, and both sides are trying to create leverage and make the best deal possible. That's what they get paid to do.

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WhoDat!656

Apples and oranges comparison.

If the Saints had the cap room to sign Brees and still keep Nicks, Meachem, Porter, et al they would have.

If my aunt had balls she would be my uncle!

Seer1

I'm kind of thinkin' Team Benson Loomis are getting the rest of their ducks in a row so both them and Team Drew can see exactly how much there is to spend. I mean Drew's not going anywhere else whether or not he signs and really with the exception of some talking heads trying to fill up space with "rumors", Brees isn't vocal at all about it. It's the fans that are the ones getting antsy.

228jits

This is a perfect scenario for Brees. He will get the money he is looking for (which I think is roughly 20 million a year). I think he has been high balling for them to work up to where he wants... Bargaining at its best.

I think something that would put Benson/Loomis at ease, is if they were to add in the language similar to Mannings contract. If Drew gets hurt he should not be paid bonus money, etc, etc. I honestly think that is how most contracts should be run. It would help teams greatly when they lose out on players, especially if this is a history of a major injury.

nevergiveup3

First I am as big a Drew Brees fan as there is out there. However I would say to Drew, you should remember when no one wanted to touch you, we stepped up, gave you a hellofa contract, designed our team around you and helped make you a star.

Next I am as big a fan of the New Orleans Saints as there is out there. However I would say to ML and TB.... Stop already.... You have embarrassed us with this bounty BS and not doing what you should have done there. Get this deal done.

Drew.. you want 23 per year you are getting 21.5.... ML.... 21.5 is a bargain....

Now get it friggin done

ScottF

It was 'easier' with Denver because they were in a bidding war and had a sense of urgency; we do not.
Also, Denver clearly overpaid. Everything is 'easier' when you have money to throw at a problem.

QBREES9

Get it done, enough of this black cloud. We need some good cheer. Drew Brees out played his 6 year contract. He is one of the best Quarterbacks in the NFL. If not the best. He has done so much for the Saints and the stae of Louisiana. Hell he brought the SAINTS a Super Bowl.

st thomas

it would be nice for the org. to give its loyals some great news before the weeks out but unfortunatly its not how things get done here. we have money issues period. and it needs to be done as smart as loomis and company has ever put together, after brees at least we saved our second round pick money with the punnishment. 5-7 million will finnish the rest of the 3rd thru 7rders. i know /we know in our hearts drew wants to be there now. to help settle this thing down and reassure players it will be allright. we know hes talking to his line keeping faith

thats the fact jack!!!!!

Saint_LB

Brees and a few others were trying to sue the NFL before they finally signed the new CBA. If I am not mistaken, the franchise tag was one of if not the issue.

Is it possible that Brees is so full of himself that he thinks that him sitting out will ultimately hurt the NFL in a PR way and ultimately cause them to cave to their demands?

Just thinkin' out loud...