Why Is Drew Brees Still Unsigned?

There have been so many storylines this offseason and many of them have centered around the beleaguered New Orleans Saints. From the Bountygate scandal that cost the team their Head Coach Sean Payton and defensive captain Jonathan Vilma to the investigation into allegations of spying against General Manager Mickey Loomis, there has been no end to the drama that has engulfed the team.

Even with all this, these issues pale in comparison to the problem that has fans across the NFL landscape scratching their heads – the ongoing saga of contract negotiations between the Saints and the new NFL all-time record holder for most passing yards in a single season – star franchise quarterback Drew Brees.

When Drew Brees first arrived in New Orleans, the city was in the beginnings of recovery from Hurricane Katrina and the team had just spent a year without being able to play at home. Brees was signed to a six year $60 million contract and became intricately involved not just in the team but also in helping the people of New Orleans. In those six seasons, Brees has amassed a staggering list of accomplishments including five Pro Bowls, four All-Pros, 2 time NFL Offensive Player of the Year, 2 time NFC MVP, Walter Peyton Man of the Year, AP Male Athlete of the Year and Sportsman of the Year – oh, and he won a Super Bowl in case you forgot.

So the question remains – what on Earth is stopping the Saints from paying the man a top contract? Here’s an even bigger question – how can it be that the two sides are not even close when it comes to the numbers?

If we were to look at the most recent big money quarterback contract – that which the Denver Broncos gave to Peyton Manning – it was for $96 million over 5 years with $18 million guaranteed and the guaranteed number increasing to $60 million should Manning pass physicals. That’s roughly $20 million a year which is pretty good for a mid-30s quarterback but the absolute benchmark for an active and producing franchise quarterback.

When you look at Drew Brees outstanding numbers from his record breaking 2011 season and put it alongside his full body of work and the way he has helped to build this team from the ground up, it boggles the mind that the New Orleans Saints refuse to give Brees the same sort of money as Manning. What is more remarkable is that from word that has leaked from the negotiations it appears that the Saints are several million dollars per year away from an acceptable total. SEVERAL MILLION! That sounds like they’re trying to offer him $15-16 million per year which is around what Brees is due to get for his franchise tender and would put him just inside the top 5 quarterback salaries in the NFL.

Apparently there is another big issue – guaranteed money. Drew Brees apparently wanted a contract that is heavily front loaded in order for him to get the money into certain investments and such – a move that would not only allow for him to be paid less later on but that would also make him less of a cap burden on his team as he gets older. Sounds like a good thing for both sides right? Nope – the Saints don’t want to pay Brees a lot of money at once as this isn’t the way they do things and they have seen the result of contracts like this going bad elsewhere – see Haynesworth, Albert.

It seems there is a ray of light for Brees – the new CBA has a weapon he can use to help convince the Saints to give him what he wants. According to Jason Cole from Yahoo Sports, should a deal fail to materialise and the Saints franchise Brees again in 2013 he would be entitled to 120% of his 2012 franchise salary which would cost about $19.6 million or thereabouts.

It gets better though as there is a further clause that states if a player is being franchised for the third time he is entitled to 144% of his previous salary. The NFLPA has looked into the language and determined that because Brees was franchised by the San Diego Chargers back in 2005 that by their interpretation Brees being franchised in 2013 would be the third time and thus he would be entitled to 144% of his 2012 salary which would amount to about $21.5 million. At this time I am not suggesting that this will keep going through till next year but the fact that if it does Brees has so much potential money coming to him does give him a degree of leverage in current negotiations.

Saints fans, take heart – you will have your quarterback this season in my opinion. In fact, I believe your team is in for a very good season as I stated in my You Heard It Here First column last week. While it may seem far away right now and team management’s thought processes are so baffling, in the end this unprecedented situation must end and I’m one of those certain this will be resolved before the preseason. In fact, it has to – the deadline for negotiation of a new deal in this case is in mid-July and it has been made clear by all parties involved that there is zero chance of Drew Brees not taking the field for New Orleans in 2012.

When it comes to negotiations of this size, there are always dramas. You have to wonder though – why are the New Orleans Saints dragging this out when they already have so many other distractions this offseason?

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