Since the end of the 2017 season, the New Orleans Saints had a ticking clocking toward the pending contract situation involving All-Pro quarterback Drew Brees before the start of the free agency period. His contract is set to count $_ million in signing bonus against the salary cap if there is no new deal in place by Monday afternoon.
However, there has been a notable lack of progress made toward a new deal between both sides with that deadline quickly approaching. In fact, Tom Pelissero of The NFL Network is reporting that the Saints and Brees have still yet to work out another contract through the end of the weekend.
Less than 16 hours before the negotiating window opens, no deal is done yet between the #Saints and Drew Brees, per source. Still time to get it done in the morning. Otherwise, other teams can start (legally) making their pitch to the 39-year-old QB at noon Eastern.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 12, 2018
Throughout this entire process, there has been no concern about the two sides getting something worked out ahead of the Monday afternoon. This has seen each express that they want to work out a new deal this offseason to keep the 39-year-old in place in New Orleans. It was anticipated that the contract negotiation process would be hammered out during the NFL Scouting Combine last week, but nothing had seriously come about during that time.
However, this lack of progress toward a new deal should begin to draw some concerns from the Saints as teams will be able to speak with Brees' agent at 4 p.m. on Monday. It may open up the door to the possibility that former league MVP entertaining scenarios outside of New Orleans. There are several teams that are in need of help at the quarterback are currently in on Kirk Cousins such as the Minnesota Vikings, New York Jets, Arizona Cardinals, and Denver Broncos.
Any of these teams could quickly switch their attention toward Brees if they lose out on Cousins in free agency. He is still playing an elite level at this stage of his career after finishing the 2017 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 campaign with more than 4,000 passing yards, and his sixth overall posting a passer rating above 100. If the Saints are unable to work out a deal ahead of the free agency things could become quite interesting.
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