At the top of the docket for the New Orleans Saints this offseason has been the contract situation surrounding Pro Bowl quarterback Drew Brees. There has remained continued optimism around the situation that a new deal will be worked out at some point in the coming weeks.

The Saints are on a timetable with Brees' contract with a possible $18 million salary cap hit in signing bonuses that comes into effect on March 14. During an interview on Pro Football Talk Live with Mike Florio, head coach Sean Payton that he believes a new deal with Brees ahead of the deadline.

Saints coach Sean Payton does not. Payton told PFT Live on Thursday that he expects a deal to be done soon, a deal that will keep Brees in New Orleans.

There is a strong level of interest on both sides to work out a new contract that should lend well to the negotiation process. He has already voiced no desire to test the free agent market or play elsewhere. The expectation is that Brees will receive an annual salary in the range of $20 to $25 million that is anticipated to begin during the NFL Scouting Combine.

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Drew Brees, Saints
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New Orleans may be pressed into getting this deal done sooner rather than later with his potential salary cap hit that could take a significant chunk out of their projected $33.6 million this offseason. It would prevent the front office from being able to be active in the free agent market.

The 39-year-old is still playing at an elite level finishing this past season fourth in the league with 4,334 passing yards, first with a 72.0 completion rate, and second with a 103.9 passer rating. This also marked his 12th straight year with more than 4,000 passing yards, and his sixth overall posting a passer rating above 100.

There is a great deal of importance to keep Brees under contract at least through next season as the Saints have put together a team that could contend for a Super Bowl. They now have a balanced offense that features a formidable running game headed by Pro Bowl running backs Mark Ingram and Alvin Kamara along with a much-improved defense. This entire contract process should foreseeably move along quite quickly in the next few weeks.