Rugby Saint II

Brees will likely take a reasonable contract that doesn't cripple the team long term. He wants another Championship and to own all the records for decades to come. He should put up some additional sick numbers with Payton calling the plays.

Before Jeff Ireland came on board If I were Drew Brees I wouldn't have taken a pay cut and let them poorly invest it back in the team with the terrible free agent choices. Now we bring in better talent and can build a winning team around Drew so he doesn't have to do it all alone.

Nonetheless, I hoe we invest in the O-line again so that we can be competitive when Drew steps down. You win in the trenches. We have a good running game and a young improving defense that could support an average QB.

AsylumGuido

Pat Kirwan proposed a possible structure for the Brees contract today on Stretching the Chains on NFL Radio that would work for both sides.

Five year, $50 million signing bonus, $140 million total. Brees gets $54M cash first year, $90M cash first three years.

2018 - $10M bonus, $6M base = $16M cap
2019 - $10M bonus, $17M base = $27M cap
2020 - $10M bonus, $17M base = $27M cap
2021 - $10M bonus, $25M base (not guaranteed)
2022 - $10M bonus, $25M base (not guaranteed)

It could be restructured after 2020 or released as post June 1st after 2020 $10M cap 2021 and 2022.

SmashMouth

Where do I sign? That's ridiculous $ !

AsylumGuido

No. That is what the market is these days. I remember when gas was 39 cents a gallon and you could buy a new car for under five grand. This is a new era. The 2018 cap is estimated at around $178 million, but could easily be higher. Take a look at how much the cap has increased since 1994 ... less than 25 years.

Year Maximum team salary

2016 $155.27 million[14]
2015 $143.28 million[15]
2014 $133 million[16]
2013 $123 million[17]
2012 $120.6 million[18]
2011 $120 million[18]
2010 Uncapped
2009 $123 million
2008 $116 million
2007 $109 million
2006 $102 million
2005 $85.5 million
2004 $80.582 million
2003 $75.007 million
2002 $71.101 million
2001 $67.405 million
2000 $62.172 million
1999 $57.288 million
1998 $52.388 million
1997 $41.454 million
1996 $40.753 million
1995 $37.1 million
1994 $34.608 million

It has more than DOUBLED since Brees was first signed by the Saints in 2005. It is projected at more than five times higher than in 1994!

All that said, the highest paid NFL player gets a fraction of what CEO's and actors bring in annually and his career is many, many times shorter.

“The pessimist sees difficulty in every opportunity. The optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.” — Winston Churchill