This article is so dumb, I HAD to comment. Brees is not looking for just more money. He wants long term security.

We've offered him just that...

TWICE!!!

He wants to prison-rape our Saints long term, it so obvious.

... this is what I don't understand about the whole deal, Brees has been offered a couple pretty good contracts, sign one already! ... I'm all for a guy getting what he's worth and negotiating the best deal, but at $64.3mil for three years, does it matter if you get a long term contract? I mean, take the money, play three seasons & retire to the broadcast booth for crissake ... just sign already!

I guess I'm going to get the a-hole tag today because I'm going to play Tom Condon:

Peyton Manning has not played in more than a year. He has a documented injury that could by all accounts end his career. He just signed a 5 year $96 million that pays essentially a flat $20 a year. And BTW he's 36.

My guy is 3 years younger. My guy just had the best season that an NFL QB has EVER HAD! I repeat EVER HAD! The last 5 years has been the best 5 year stretch in the history of the NFL for a QB. Your franchise won its first SB ever with my guy at the helm.

So exactly why should my guy take a back seat to a QB who is older and injured? Why should we settle for a shorter contract? My guy wants to retire here in New Orleans. He wants the well deserved security and respect that should be afforded to what is by all accounts a HOF QB at the prime of his career.

Let's find a way to get this done so we can get back to the business of winning championships. 5 years, $115 million, with $75 million frontloaded in the first three years frankly isn't too much to ask. My guy is the best QB in the NFL and can likely be the best QB in the history of the NFL if we can get this done.

End presentation.

SFIAH

The only problem is that you don't know what was offered and what was requested.

Brees may have been low-balled, then again he may have been offered more than any player in NFL history.

My guess is that we wanted it structured so that he gets a huge jump in 2014 when the salary cap rises substantially. That keeps us cap friendly for 2012 and 2013.
Tom probably said NFW, we want it now.

It always comes back to Tom Condon, doesn't it?!?

I guess I'm going to get the a-hole tag today because I'm going to play Tom Condon:

Peyton Manning has not played in more than a year. He has a documented injury that could by all accounts end his career. He just signed a 5 year $96 million that pays essentially a flat $20 a year. And BTW he's 36.

My guy is 3 years younger. My guy just had the best season that an NFL QB has EVER HAD! I repeat EVER HAD! The last 5 years has been the best 5 year stretch in the history of the NFL for a QB. Your franchise won its first SB ever with my guy at the helm.

So exactly why should my guy take a back seat to a QB who is older and injured? Why should we settle for a shorter contract? My guy wants to retire here in New Orleans. He wants the well deserved security and respect that should be afforded to what is by all accounts a HOF QB at the prime of his career.

Let's find a way to get this done so we can get back to the business of winning championships. 5 years, $115 million, with $75 million frontloaded in the first three years frankly isn't too much to ask. My guy is the best QB in the NFL and can likely be the best QB in the history of the NFL if we can get this done.

End presentation.

SFIAH

That's fair, I understand and have no problem with Brees getting paid what he's worth or based on his performance, but as I've browsed the board the past 3-4 months, I've seen he's been offered a couple pretty impressive contracts that would have made him the highest paid player in the NFL at the time? And now there's the whole franchise-tag-thing to contend with ... I just can't figure out what he's waiting on, unless they're waiting to see how much salary cap will be freed up due to player suspensions/penalties so they can offer Drew more. ?

Maybe I'm naive and can't relate to the problems of the-rich-and-famous-athlete types, but how much more then $18mil-or-so a year do you need before you have the well-deserved security & respect you feel should be afforded you? It's been beat to death, I know, I'm just transitioning over to the, "like Drew as a player and want to see him sign with NO, but this has been dragging out too long and not so much supporting his contract fight anymore" side.

While I can't see Brees playing for anyone other then New Orleans, I'm starting to think the only thing that will keep Drew from retiring a Saint is Drew, or Tom Condon, whoever is running that show, and a viable option for Brees (at 33) is to sign a three year contract, retire a Saint at age 36 and field offers from the networks, all of which would be glad to have him on their broadcast teams ... now that's a plan for security & respect, IMO.

Slo...

Its not a question of "need", obviously Drews "ends are meeting". Besides the great post by SFIAH, I am sure there is some "lime light" that the Saints/Drew/Condon want in the form of Highest paid player. Drews contract does not just effect Drew, Condon, Saints. It will effect each and every other QB that gets hits with a franchise tag also....

There is a business game behind the football game. The higher Drews contract is, the farther north the franchise tag goes... would be a good chess move to make another QB for another team unaffordable because the FT went up .

I am not entirely sure the debate at this point is value, I think it is loading...