Why Saints, Drew Brees have hard deadline for new contract, and what's next
 

What we know about Drew Brees is that he will play for the New Orleans Saints in 2018. Yes, the final three years of his contract will automatically void on March 14, which would make him an unrestricted free agent and the hottest commodity on the market.

But Brees has said repeatedly that he has no interest in leaving New Orleans, the Saints are poised to enter 2018 as one of the favorites in the NFC and there’s no reason to think the quarterback has any interest in testing the market. He’s certain to be a Saint for 2018 and probably for life.

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What we don’t know about Brees is how he and the Saints will get his contract to where it needs to be for this to happen. They can’t simply do nothing. If they do nothing, those final three contract years void at the start of the new league year on March 14, and the Saints will be stuck with $18 million worth of signing bonus prorated on this year’s salary cap in addition to whatever salary they end up paying Brees for 2018. This would be a crusher, and New Orleans can’t let it happen, which is why March 14 is a very real deadline for Brees and the Saints to come to agreement on some kind of new contract.

What will that contract look like? Well, that’s another thing we don’t know. To this point, Brees and the Saints have not had any serious discussions about it, which is probably because the Saints don’t fear him leaving. But at some point in the next month, they must. So here are some questions and answers about the Brees situation and where it’s headed:

What was that you said before about $18 million?

Yeah, this is NFL salary-cap math. Prior to the 2016 season, the Saints and Brees did a new contract that was technically a five-year deal even though it was really only a two-year deal. That deal included a $30 million signing bonus, and NFL rules allow teams to prorate signing bonus money over the life of the deal, up to five years. So, since 30 divided by five is six, the Saints have to count only $6 million of Brees’ signing bonus each year of the “five-year deal.” But the 2018, 2019 and 2020 seasons are just “dummy” years, added onto the contract solely for the purpose of salary-cap proration.

If nothing is done to the contract, all three of those years automatically void on March 14, and by rule, all of the remaining $18 million of salary-cap proration would accelerate onto this year’s cap. Once again, the Saints would be stuck with that charge before they even signed Brees. So if they signed him for, say, one year and $28 million, his salary-cap charge this year would be $46 million, which obviously would be way too much.

OK, so can’t they just agree that this year won’t void, and keep the contract as is otherwise?

Sure, they could. If they did that, Brees would be scheduled to earn a $22 million salary this year, and the cap charge would be $28 million ($22 million salary plus $6 million of the signing bonus). The Saints could carry that, for sure, and just delay this decision by a year. The problem is, Brees would have to agree to that alteration, and he wouldn’t be getting anything out of it. Even as his insistence that he doesn’t want to go anywhere hurts his negotiation leverage, that March 14 deadline creates some. The Saints don’t want to get hit with that $18 million cap charge.

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Re: Why Saints, Drew Brees have hard deadline for new contract, and what's next
 

A deal will get done.

Re: Why Saints, Drew Brees have hard deadline for new contract, and what's next
 

With all the pieces in place, I would strongly agree.

Re: Why Saints, Drew Brees have hard deadline for new contract, and what's next
 

Brees has earned something like $100M so far with the Saints and add to that endorsements. He don't need a big payday "to secure his kids future" or whatever lame term is generally used.
Its time for him to show whats more important, money or winning. If he cares about winning he agrees to a decent contract that leaves room for some FAs.

Re: Why Saints, Drew Brees have hard deadline for new contract, and what's next
 

It's well north of $200 million. His 2006 contract was for $60 million. He earned all that money. The second in 2012 was for $100 million. He earned that money too. The last extension was just shy of $25 effectively for one year.

I believe that he has done that all along. And Brees has earned every penny of each of his contracts over the last dozen years.

If Brees really wanted to screw the Saints, all he'd have to do is not sign by March 14th. That puts the Saints $18 million in the hole, no matter what, with no QB.

Each and every time his contract comes up it plays out the same way. Fans call for him to take a pay cut. The extension is fair and at market value. Brees outplays the dollars by virtually every measure. And yet each and every time it comes up, fans are still calling for the guy to take a pay cut "for the team."

It's ridiculuous. Fortunately Benson, Loomis, Payton, and Brees don't listen to the catcalls. They sit down, work out something fair, and keep it moving.

Kirk Cousins is likely to have an average long term contract that is near or above $30 million per year with a signing bonus that's approaching $100 million. This is for a guy that has essentially won nothing, took Washington for all the dollars he could, and then walked away.

Brees is here. He's invested. He essentially functions as a part of ownership and management of the Saints at this point. Yet once again, the calls for the guy not to be paid what he's worth comes a calling.

I'm smart enough to know that this era in Saints history is special. We'll likely never see another one like Brees in our lifetime in a Saints uniform. And yet to see the undervaluing of his work, it's sad.

SFIAH

Re: Why Saints, Drew Brees have hard deadline for new contract, and what's next
 

Completely agree. The pundits are saying a new deal is a forgone conclusion, but something tells me this will be more difficult than expected. I think a deal will get done, but there will be some posturing and tough negotiations along the way. I don't think Drew is going to make this easy on the Saints, despite what he says in the media. Drew has always put himself first....nothing really wrong with that, but it doesn't make negotiations smooth. JMHO

Re: Why Saints, Drew Brees have hard deadline for new contract, and what's next
 

Redskins screwed the pooch on Cousins. They did not have the balls early on to start Cousins over RG3. Still they could have done the right thing... instead they've traded for Alex Smith.

Good for Cousins for getting is due contract.

If Brees were not as sharp and in a clear significant decline, Cousins would be a strong candidate as his successor. We'll have Brees probably three more years.

Re: Why Saints, Drew Brees have hard deadline for new contract, and what's next
 

What? He will play for market value. If someone offers him more he has the option to move. No different from any other job. And it doesn't matter how much he makes just like any other job. How many players have taken a pay cut in the NFL to bring in more talent? The odds of that happening are a fraction of 1%. If it happens I will eat crow though but I will eat it with those odds.

I believe he will stay at market value.

Re: Why Saints, Drew Brees have hard deadline for new contract, and what's next
 

Well said SFIAH.

Re: Why Saints, Drew Brees have hard deadline for new contract, and what's next
 

Well stated & I agree. Mr. Brees has earned every single dime.

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Re: Why Saints, Drew Brees have hard deadline for new contract, and what's next
 

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.

Re: Why Saints, Drew Brees have hard deadline for new contract, and what's next
 

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.

Re: Why Saints, Drew Brees have hard deadline for new contract, and what's next
 

Where do I sign? That's ridiculous $ ! :bng:

Re: Why Saints, Drew Brees have hard deadline for new contract, and what's next
 

That proposal looks pretty tolerable. Truly will be interesting to see how it all shakes out. Hopefully with a win win situation. I know he plans on retiring a saint, but I also know (not personally) his agent is all about the benjamins.

Re: Why Saints, Drew Brees have hard deadline for new contract, and what's next
 

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.

Re: Why Saints, Drew Brees have hard deadline for new contract, and what's next
 

Best thing about these discussions heading into the deadline, to me, is what happened on the field this past season. Just make it happen so we can build off last season!!

Re: Why Saints, Drew Brees have hard deadline for new contract, and what's next
 

Drew Brees reportedly to demand less than Jimmy Garoppolo on new deal

Now, according to NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport, Brees and the Saints are expected to talk about a short-term deal during the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis next week. More than that, the Pro Bowler is expected to demand between $20 and $25 million annually, a number that would come in lower than what Jimmy Garoppolo received from the San Francisco 49ers earlier in the month.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nfl...eal/ar-BBJqXnh

Re: Why Saints, Drew Brees have hard deadline for new contract, and what's next
 

5 years sounds crazy at 39 years of age but that's what Manning signed with Denver which was essentially 5 single-year contracts back to back with injury clauses.

I love the idea of a straight up 2 year deal for Drew. $50M guaranteed.

We keep the GOAT, add pieces and chase those rings! Get ready Saints fans, this could be the best two years of Saints football ever!

Re: Why Saints, Drew Brees have hard deadline for new contract, and what's next
 

A lot of "chatty/patty" on the contract matter. Drew is ingrained to the City of NO , team & community.

A deal will be completed ... soon.

Re: Why Saints, Drew Brees have hard deadline for new contract, and what's next
 

Interesting to me that the Brees deadline is March 14th, and the deadline for the next season ticket payment installment for season ticket holders to send in their payment to the Saints, is actually March 16th.... I expect a lot of season ticket holders will be holding on to their money, watching the TV/radio, and then slipping their payment into the mailbox or under the door of the Saints facility at the last possible minute, as soon as the new deal for Brees is announced. IF they somehow inexplicably don't get the deal done, expect a lot of returns/cancels, and the eternal Saints season ticket waiting list could disappear overnight!