jeanpierre

Let him play out the contract and see how his health holds up throughout the season...

If he shows fatigue or decline as the season moves on, then what no one wants to speak of is then upon us...

There's no need to extend now as there's no advantage gained in free agency...

You still have two, three other players who can re-work their contracts or be released to gain room for a FA DT and the first round pick...

Let him hit FA market next season; let the market set the price; we'll have the room to compete with anyone for him...

...and we won't have to extend him with guaranteed money when he's no longer playing and be strapped like we are with dead money this season...

It's not that my way is the right way, I just make the right way my way...

AsylumGuido

So, let me get it straight here. By letting Brees play out his contract the Saints are either 1) gambling on Brees suddenly hitting a brick wall and becoming a shadow of his former self, or 2) Brees having yet another great season and becoming a free agent meaning, if we want to retain his services it will be at a market driven premium of most likely $22M plus per year for four years, if, and that is a big IF, the Saints are able to beat every other offer. The alternative is to gamble that he will continue playing up to the level of one of the top 5-8 QB's in the league and extend him three years for an average closer to $18M per year.

I would say the smart money would be on his remaining one of the premier QB's in the league.