Re: Drew Brees prefers extension, but is ready to play out current deal
 

I will be one of those people. Let's talk about a recently signed QB contract:

4 years, $72 million, $37 million guaranteed.

Here's the stat line 2015:

7 games started 5-2 record 61.8 completion percentage, 1900+ yards, 10 TD, 6 INT.

Now Brees' stat line from 2015:

15 games started, 7-8 record, 68.3 completion percentage, 4870 yards, 32 TD, 11 INT.

My point is that Brees is in a league where a QB with essentially no starts and no stats is worth $18 million a year and nearly $40 million in guaranteed money.

It really would not be overpaying Brees for a 3 year $75 million, with all the dollars guaranteed. And while the Saints are in no position to execute such a contract, there are teams in this league that could, and might do so.

That's the market now.

Honestly, I don't think any of us really knows what Brees' wants in compensation. But if you look at all the ridiculous QB contracts that have been signed since he signed his extension in 2012, it's certain that even reasonable numbers are in the stratosphere.

SFIAH

Re: Drew Brees prefers extension, but is ready to play out current deal
 

Tune in tomorrow for another thrilling episode of "The Edge of As The Offseason Turns At Night For The Bold And The Beautiful General Hospital Fans"

Re: Drew Brees prefers extension, but is ready to play out current deal
 

2-5 actually

Re: Drew Brees prefers extension, but is ready to play out current deal
 

That's Osweiler's new contract with the Texans. He has started exactly 7 games ever with a 5-2 record.

SFIAH

Re: Drew Brees prefers extension, but is ready to play out current deal
 

Drew is not going any where.

Re: Drew Brees prefers extension, but is ready to play out current deal
 

I don't think it makes sense that this Brees situation would be a smoke screen. If this deal had gotten done sooner, the Saints would have been in play for some quality free agents. Why would you purposefully drag this out for the mere POSSIBILITY that it will help you get the player you want in the draft, and then hope that player works out?

All the buzz about wanting this guy, or that guy, or trading up for the 1st pick... That's the kind of smoke screen you can do. You don't screw yourself in free agency on purpose, just for the off chance it might help you in the draft. That would be a really dumb strategy.

Re: Drew Brees prefers extension, but is ready to play out current deal
 

There is no "Brees situation". The Brees extension, which I guarantee will take place, has always been in a position to be completed AFTER the draft as I have been preaching for months. In an interview yesterday Brees came right out and said the exact same thing saying ...

Everything is right on track. Stop worrying, everybody.

Re: Drew Brees prefers extension, but is ready to play out current deal
 

There is a discussion ongoing, centered around Drew Brees. Therefore I will call it the Brees "situation" if I jolly well please. My point, in case you missed it (you did), was that this is no smoke screen. I did not say no deal will be done. I'm sure it will be done.

Rookie contracts are not that big of a deal. I see no point in waiting till after the draft, simply for that reason. I'm a fan of building through both the draft and free agency. I don't like an all in on one or the other, philosophy. Our Super Bowl season will show you the balance of how that team was constructed. Lot's of key free agents, and draftees. Plus Vilma, via trade.

This isn't like Major league Baseball, where you have 40 freaking rounds to stockpile every year, to build with, and to use prospects as currency.

Re: Drew Brees prefers extension, but is ready to play out current deal
 

First of all, rookie contracts are still a bit of a deal if you are interested in trading back up into the first round for a second pick. And free agency is not yet over. There are still a number of possibilities out there that teams are waiting on to find out how they did with the draft. Trades are also a possibility. There is no reason to finalize the Brees deal before the draft unless it became necessary. It could have if Norman became an option for the Saints, but he settled with Washington right out of the gate and never even gave the Saints a chance.

Oh, and I got your point about the smoke screen. Most of my reply was guided toward other members around here.

Re: Drew Brees prefers extension, but is ready to play out current deal
 

There should be more of a plan in place in terms of the draft. With the limits on what rookies can make, you should be able to ballpark an idea of what you'll be spending. Set a high water mark on what you would reasonably spend on the draft, and negotiate with your current players under those parameters. What's to stop Brees and management from going back and tweeking his deal a little bit, which ever direction, after the draft? I'm not aware of any rule that prohibits re-working a deal multiple times in an off season.

This is all assuming that they ever had an intention of signing any other free agents. If they ACTUALLY had no interest, then I think that's a mistake.