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5 reasons Drew Brees extension is brilliant move by Saints

By John Buhler

Jan 3, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) attempts a pass in the third quarter against the Atlanta Falcons at the Georgia Dome. The Saints won 20-17. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 3, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) attempts a pass in the third quarter against the Atlanta Falcons at the Georgia Dome. The Saints won 20-17. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 6, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) shakes hands with New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) after their game at Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The Panthers defeated the Saints 41-38. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 6, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) shakes hands with New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) after their game at Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The Panthers defeated the Saints 41-38. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Look at the quarterbacks in the NFC South

The NFC South has the best quarterback situation of all eight NFL Divisions entering 2016. Cam Newton is a reigning MVP for the NFC Champion Carolina Panthers. Matt Ryan has been a Pro Bowl-level quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons since 2008. Jameis Winston could very well be the answer to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ quarterback woes.

To win the NFC South, a team has to be great at quarterback. The competition among the four teams’ quarterbacks is always high. New Orleans could not afford to let Brees walk knowing they’ll have six annual games against Newton, Ryan, and Winston for the foreseeable future.

There is a reason few great NFL quarterbacks ever hit the open market. A franchise quarterback’s employer knows the value in stability at the most critical position on the gridiron. With Brees in tow, the Saints don’t have to fret about the quarterback position for the next two-five seasons.

If Brees stays healthy, he’s good enough to hang tough with three Pro Bowl quarterbacks in his own division. Let’s not forget that the NFC has a franchise quarterback — on paper — in all 16 cities now that the Los Angeles Rams have Jared Goff and the Philadelphia Eagles have Carson Wentz.

Why would the Saints want to be the lone NFC team with franchise quarterback issues when they really don’t have to? Re-upping with Brees gives the Saints confidence to compete at least for the next two seasons.

Next: 2. Deal can be voided after two seasons

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