Times-Picayune writer: Drew Brees contract will be done in a week

Next Monday is the deadline for players designated with the franchise tag to sign multi-year contracts and Mike Triplett of the New Orleans Times-Picayune says it will be “stunning” if Saints quarterback Drew Brees doesn’t have a deal before the deadline.

Triplett expects Brees to receive a deal that averages between $19.2 million and $20 million per season, making him the highest-paid player in NFL history. But this thing could go right to the wire at 4 p.m. EST on July 16 before Brees signs on the dotted line. The week gives the Saints and Brees’ agent Tom Condon seven days to haggle over the small details.

And as Triplett says “only an absurd amount of stubbornness could get in the way now.”

We’ve certainly witnessed plenty of absurd this offseason, though, so don’t count anything as done until it is truly complete. Per the report, the Saints have already offered Brees a deal richer than the Peyton Manning contract from the Broncos that averages $19.2 million. How the money is structured, though, is not known.

In the event, as unlikely as it might be, that Brees doesn’t get a deal done he will earn $16.4 million this season with the franchise tag. It’s truly a shame the Saints couldn’t stop the flow of negative media reaction at some point this offseason with a deal for Brees that would have allowed him to participate with the club in workouts.

Now, it’s about putting an end to an arduous negotiation that should pay off big for Brees in the long run.

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Brad Biggs covers the Bears for the Chicago Tribune