New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees deserves to be highest-paid player in the NFL
 

The man loves his passing yards and touchdown throws, but money has never been his motivation.

His unselfishness is one of the many reasons he's become the most beloved sports figure in this city's long history.

Yet, as the negotiations on his contract drag on, there is growing sentiment among some factions of the frustrated fan base that Brees should take a hometown discount to help the team. That might be the most ridiculous notion since Ray Nagin wanted to turn Canal Street into casino row.

For the uninitiated, here's the Cliff Notes version of the Saints' predicament, which has stirred much angst in their loyal fan base.

If the Saints pay Brees the going rate, they might not have enough money left to surround him with the kind of players he needs to contend for another Super Bowl title.

If they don't pay him market value, they risk angering the most vital asset in the organization and cause irreparable damage to the long-standing Brees-Saints relationship.

What's the going rate for an elite NFL quarterback? Roughly $18 million annually. That's the average annual pay Peyton Manning and Tom Brady received on deals they signed the previous two seasons.




New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees deserves to be highest-paid player in the NFL - New Orleans Saints Football NFL News - NOLA.com

deserves got nothing to do with it...