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METAIRIE, La. (AP) - While Drew Brees could potentially become a free agent this winter and shop around for another team, that scenario strikes Saints coach Sean Payton as a bit far-fetched.

"I don't even know if stunned would be a strong enough word," Payton said Tuesday after players had been dismissed for the season following their playoff loss at San Francisco. "I don't see that happening."

Brees has thrown for more yards than any NFL quarterback since joining the Saints in 2006 and passed for an NFL record 5,476 yards this season, breaking Dan Marino's 27-year-old mark of 5,084.

Brees was among a number of players who had already left town and were not available for comment on Tuesday, but he has also said he expected an extension with New Orleans to eventually be completed.

The coaching staff is slated to take all of next week off and Payton did not want to discuss a timetable for completing a new deal with Brees.

"Certainly, the sooner the better, and yet I think this time away here initially after season ended will be good for everyone to kind remove yourself from the emotion of the season," the coach said.

Still, Payton acknowledged free agency will be challenging for the Saints because other key players from his record-setting offense have expiring contracts, including Pro Bowl guard Carl Nicks and receiver Marques Colston.

"This season, certainly, there are some real good players that potentially are free agents," Payton said. "Each year those are challenges and that's what makes it hard to win in our league. ... We'll look closely at it and try to be objective."

Full article.
Payton all but assures Brees' return to Saints - NFL Wire - The Buffalo News

QBREES9

Still, Payton acknowledged free agency will be challenging for the Saints because other key players from his record-setting offense have expiring contracts, including Pro Bowl guard Carl Nicks and receiver Marques Colston

Halo

But Brees is a MUST. We'll shift, lose some, reload and hopefully be better...

Danno

Yep. We're gonna lose a player or two that everyone is gonna squeal about, but good teams reload and sometimes let a good player go a year too early. Much better than a year too late.

And I have one word for all of us that are freaking out over our cap situation...

RENEGOTIATIONS

Loomis is a cap guru, I ain't skeered.

saintfan

To be honest we have enough weapons on offense that we can afford to lose a player or two. I'm not sweating that side of the ball really at all so long as we figure out how to keep Nicks.

On D, well, we need serious help at linebacker and on the line. It wouldn't wipe me out if they cleaned house and let some of our younger guys give it a go. It couldn't get much worse friends.

Danno

Nicks is exactly the player I'm sweating losing. I'd much rather lose Colston.

And thats IF we had to lose either one. Loomis may be able to find a way to keep both.

foreverfan

Nobody thinks a team will offer Brees stupid money?

How about Jerry Jones?

gandhi1007

I couldn't agree more.

GeauxForMore

Cant we tag Brees if somehow we can get a contract extension?

GeauxForMore

This is a interesting quote cause Brees is a Texan and we wanted to play for Texas in college and Im sure it was always his dream to play for the cowgirls. But even if hes offered crazy money he wouldnt leave the NO.