Saints’ Drew Brees Plans On Playing In 2019
Things didn’t go the Saints’ way on Sunday and Drew Brees is determined to go out on a higher note. After the loss to the Rams, Brees told reporters that he plans on sticking around for at least one more season.
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“I plan on being here next year and making another run at it,” Brees said (via Luke Johnson of the Times-Picayune).
Brees, who recently celebrated his 40th birthday, turned in one of his very best seasons to date. Brees completed an NFL record 74.4% of his throws and also had a career high in passer rating at 115.7. In the regular season, he threw for 32 touchdowns against just five interceptions and, if not for a controversial no-call on Sunday, he would be gearing up for an attempt at a second career Super Bowl ring.
Thanks to the two-year deal he signed with the Saints in March of last year, Brees is under contract for 2019 at a $33.5MM cap number. The Saints could seek an extension to smooth out the cap hit (and overhaul the voidable year in 2020), but New Orleans will be glad to have Brees back in any scenario.
Saints’ Drew Brees Has No Plans To Retire
Saints quarterback Drew Brees will turn 40 in January, but he isn’t looking to retire anytime soon. After leading the Saints to an overtime victory over the Falcons on Sunday, Brees told Peter King of NBC Sports that he wants to continue playing for the foreseeable future.
“I’m having a lot of fun playing still. I hope there are lots more years,” Brees said.
With another 418 passing yards, Brees will eclipse Peyton Manning‘s record for passing yardage. He can also top Manning’s passing TD record with another 46 scores. Major records are within reach, and Brees already owns a Super Bowl ring, but he sounds as motivated as ever to continue playing and winning.
“I love to compete,” he said. “I love to work, I love to set a goal, embark on the journey and accomplish the task. So many incredible people in my life have put me in position to succeed. So many who have helped make me a confident person when maybe I was lacking in it in some parts of my life. So an accomplishment like this is for them too. A lot of receivers caught those passes. I hope they’re proud. This is for them, too. I’ve had the same head coach, Sean Payton, the same offensive coordinator, Pete Carmichael, for all my years here, and the same quarterback coach, Joe Lombardi, for 11 of the 13 years. This is for them, too.”
This offseason, Brees re-signed with the Saints on a two-year, $50MM deal without giving serious consideration to outside offers. His deal will expire after the 2019 season, but if Brees continues to play at a high level, his Saints career could extend into 2020 and beyond.
NFC South Rumors: Saints, Brees, Robinson
Drew Brees is back with the Saints on a two-year, $50MM deal that is arguably under market for what he provides. However, a deeper look at his contract shows some additional value. There is language in Brees’ deal that prevents the team from using the franchise tag on him after the 2019 season, according to Nick Underhill of The Times-Picayune (on Twitter).
This is familiar territory for the two parties. Brees’ previous deal also prohibited the Saints from using the tag on him, which forced New Orleans to negotiate a fresh contract with him this offseason.
Brees will be 41 in 2020 and there’s no guarantee that he’ll still be an elite QB or even willing to continue playing, But, if he is still at the top of his game, the Saints will have a little less leverage to work with.
Here’s more from the NFC South:
- The Panthers have had discussions with cornerback Ladarius Gunter, according to Joe Person of the Charlotte Observer (on Twitter). The Panthers did not tender Gunter as a restricted free agent earlier this month, but Bashaud Breeland‘s failed physical has them considering other options to fill out the secondary.
- Cornerback Patrick Robinson says three other teams were pursuing him when he agreed to deal with the Saints (Twitter link via Josh Katzenstein of The Times-Picayune). Robinson added that he did not want to leave the Eagles, but “it just made more sense for me to come [to New Orleans].“
- The Buccaneers would like to re-sign cornerback Robert McClain, but the Cardinals have interest in him.
Contract Details: Brees, Butler, T. Johnson
Let’s take a look at the details from the latest contracts signed in the NFL, with all links going to Twitter unless otherwise noted:
- Drew Brees, QB (Saints): Two years, $50MM. $10.5MM signing bonus. $10.2MM 2018 base salary. $3.3MM available via incentives in 2018. $24MM cap charge in 2018. $33.5MM cap charge in 2019 (Twitter links via Field Yates of ESPN.com).
- Malcolm Butler, CB (Titans): Five years, $61.23MM. $24MM guaranteed. $10MM signing bonus (via Howard Balzer).
- Justin Ellis, DT (Raiders): Three years, $13.5MM. $6.5MM guaranteed. 2019 base salary ($2.25MM) becomes fully guaranteed on third day of 2019 league year (via Adam Caplan of SiriusXM).
- Mark Herzlich, LB (Giants): One year, $790K minimum salary contract (via Ralph Vacchiano of SNY).
- James Hurst, T (Ravens): Four years, $17.5MM. $6MM guaranteed (via Caplan).
- Trumaine Johnson, CB (Jets): Five years, $72.5MM. $34MM guaranteed (via Balzer), $34MM fully guaranteed (per Rich Cimini of ESPN.com).
Drew Brees Turned Down Better Offer To Stay With Saints?
As expected, Drew Brees has re-signed with the Saints on a new deal. The contract — worth $50MM and containing $27MM in guarantees — isn’t exactly chump change, but Brees may have had better offers elsewhere.
At least one other team was willing to give Brees $60MM guaranteed over two years, according to Jeff Triplett of ESPN.com. However, there’s some conflicting word on that front. A league source tells Mike Florio of PFT that simply never happened.
The Vikings were among the teams to reach out to Brees, but they are reportedly on the verge of signing Kirk Cousins to a fully guaranteed three-year deal.
If the $60MM guaranteed offer is true, one has to wonder if it came from the Jets. Although luring Brees away from New Orleans was a Hail Mary, the Jets had to give it a shot given the uninspiring lot of backup options.
Since losing out on the top QBs in this year’s market, the Jets have re-upped Josh McCown and may still be eyeing Teddy Bridgewater. Brees, meanwhile, is back in New Orleans and ready to take another run at a Super Bowl ring.
Saints, Drew Brees Agree To Two-Year Deal
The Saints have agreed to a two-year deal with quarterback Drew Brees, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link). The new pact is worth $50MM and contains $27MM in guarantees. The deal is technically for three years and $70MM, but the 2020 season will void and is in place only for salary cap purposes, tweets Ben Volin of the Boston Globe. Additionally the 2019 season is an option year, and the deal contains a full no-trade clause, per Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (Twitter link).
Brees’ current contract with New Orleans will void on March 14, the first day of the 2018 league year, and if no new deal had been reached, the Saints would have incurred $18MM in dead money on their salary cap. By hammering out an extension, the Saints will keep that dead money total at a relatively manageable $6MM in 2018 while retaining their franchise quarterback.
Although he was allowed to speak to other clubs beginning on Monday, Brees was never seriously expected to leave New Orleans. However, he did reportedly speak with the quarterback-needy Vikings, which could have given him a bit of leverage in talks with the Saints.
While Brees didn’t post his typically gaudy offensive statistics in 2017, that was largely by design, as he attempted only 536 pass attempts, his lowest in a full 16-game slate since 2005 (his final year with the Chargers). New Orleans built an offense that doesn’t have to fully rely on Brees, as the club ranked first in rushing DVOA and second in pressure rate allowed. Buoyed by Mark Ingram, Alvin Kamara, and a strong offensive line, Brees ranked second in passer rating and adjusted net yards per attempt, and third in Football Outsiders‘ DVOA, which measures value on a per-play basis.
Brees expressed his desire to return to the Saints following their loss to the Vikings in the NFC Divisional playoffs. A contract that will give Brees $25MM annually will match Raiders quarterback Derek Carr in terms of average annual salary for third among NFL players, placing him behind Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford ($27MM) and 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo ($27.5MM).
Saints, Drew Brees Working On Two-Year Deal
The Saints and quarterback Drew Brees are working on a two-year deal that could be completed today, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link).
Brees’ current contract with New Orleans will void on March 14, the first day of the 2018 league year, and if no new deal is reached, the Saints will incur $18MM in dead money on their salary cap. By hammering out an extension, the Saints will keep that dead money total at a relatively manageable $6MM in 2018 while retaining their franchise quarterback.
Vikings Reach Out To Drew Brees
The Vikings have called on Drew Brees, a league source tells Tom Pelissero of NFL.com (on Twitter). Brees, of course, is widely expected to re-sign with the Saints, but he is technically available and Minnesota plans to leave no stone unturned. Other QB-needy teams have also reached out to Brees, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter).
The Vikings’ top target in free agency is reportedly Kirk Cousins. But, with several other teams after him, including the cash-flush Jets, the Vikings are exploring backup plans. Realistically, their best Plan B may be their own free agent, Case Keenum, but they may prefer to have Brees if possible.
At least two teams in pursuit of Cousins are reportedly willing to give him a three-year, fully guaranteed contract. It’s unclear as to whether the Vikings are one of those clubs. If they’re not willing to give him that unprecedented deal, then they may have to settle for other QB options. “Settling” for Brees would not be a bad outcome for the Vikings at all as he is arguably the better QB for the here and now.
Brees is 39, but he’s coming off of another spectacular season. In 2017, Brees completed a league-leading 72% of his passes with 4,334 yards and 23 touchdowns against just eight interceptions. You don’t need advanced metrics to gauge his value, but Brees graded out as the second-best quarterback in the NFL last season, behind only Tom Brady.
Extra Points: Brees, Watson, Contracts
With less than 24 hours until the exclusive negotiating window closes, the Saints and Drew Brees still haven’t come to an agreement on a new deal, reports Tom Pelissero of NFL.com (via Twitter). If a contract isn’t agreed to by noon eastern time tomorrow, rival teams can make their pitch to the veteran quarterback.
Brees contract officially voids on Wednesday, although the 39-year-old will be allowed to negotiate with teams starting on Monday. If the Saints don’t come to an agreement with Brees before the start of free agency on Wednesday, they’ll have to tolerate $18MM in dead money against their cap. For what it’s worth, we heard in January that the veteran wasn’t planning on testing the market.
The 11-time Pro Bowler had another standout campaign in 2017, completing a career-high 72-percent of his passes for 4,334 yards, 23 touchdowns, and eight interceptions.
Let’s take a look at some other notes from around the NFL…
- Veteran tight end Ben Watson is contemplating retirement, reports CBS Sports’ Jason La Canfora (via Twitter). However, the 37-year-old would be willing to continue his playing career if “the opportunity presents itself.” After missing the entire 2016 season due to a torn Achilles, Watson bounced back in 2017 with the Ravens, hauling in 61 catches for 522 yards and four touchdowns. After being selected in the first round of the 2004 draft, Watson has also played for the Patriots, Browns, and Saints.
- Former NFL agent (and current CBS Sports writer) Joel Corry continues to explore the ideal contracts for some of the NFL’s top free agents and extension candidates. Corry believes Le’Veon Bell should pursue a five-year, $71.25MM deal with $19MM in guaranteed money. Corry also focuses on wideouts Jarvis Landry, who he believes should look for a five-year, $75MM deal ($48MM guaranteed), and Allen Robinson (one-year, $10MM, $9MM guaranteed). Tight end Jimmy Graham (four years, $34MM), offensive guard Andrew Norwell (five years, $65MM), and offensive tackle Nate Solder (five year, $72.5MM) were also included in Corry’s analysis.
- Corry also took a look at the top free agents/extension candidates on defense. The largest suggested contract goes to defensive end Demarcus Lawrence, as Corry suggests a five-year, $97.5MM deal (with $60MM guaranteed). The former agent also analyzed defensive end Ezekiel Ansah (four years, $66MM), defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson (five years, $81.25MM), cornerback Trumaine Johnson (five years, $77.5MM), cornerback Kyle Fuller (five years, $67.5MM), and safety Lamarcus Joyner (five years, $57.5MM).
Latest On Saints’ Drew Brees
11:10am: There’s some conflicting word on when Brees is permitted to speak with teams. Both the NFL and NFLPA spokesman George Atallah say that Drew Brees can negotiate with other teams starting on Monday, according to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk (on Twitter).
9:08am: The NFL’s “legal tampering” period gets begins on Monday, but unlike most of the league’s pending free agents, Saints quarterback Drew Brees will not be able to speak with teams, according to Nick Underhill of The Advocate (on Twitter). That’s because Brees has to wait until his contract voids on March 14 in order to explore the market.
If the Saints do not strike a new deal with Brees before the start of free agency on Wednesday, they’ll be forced to carry $18MM in dead money against their cap. It is widely expected that an extension will be reached, but the deadline provides Brees with leverage in talks, even though he has already stated that he does not plan on testing the open market. In theory, if the Saints do not give Brees an offer to his liking, he can put New Orleans in a serious cap crunch and go elsewhere.
Realistically, agent Tom Condon has probably heard from rival teams that would be interested in signing his client. Although the legal tampering period is designed to give teams an opportunity to speak with prospective free agents, there’s a great deal of talk that goes down at the NFL combine between agents and teams. Condon may not have set out to talk to clubs about Brees in Indianapolis, but he has certainly heard from GMs with interest and has a rough idea of the offers that would be out there for his client, should he deviate from his plans.
Brees is PFR’s No. 2 ranked player in free agency this year.