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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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Jun 14, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) during the first day of minicamp sessions at the New Orleans Saints Training Facility. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 14, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) during the first day of minicamp sessions at the New Orleans Saints Training Facility. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Deal can be voided after two seasons

Essentially, the Saints found away to getting around not being able to franchise tag Brees with this deal. Brees wasn’t eligible to be franchise tagged after so many years of NFL service, including 10 with the Saints.

New Orleans is paying him in full for both 2016 and 2017. From there, it’ll be a one-year deal sort of situation until Brees is no longer the player he has been. Brees can be cut by the Saints in 2018 at the age of 39. After the 2017 season, New Orleans won’t have to pay Brees a dime if the Saints don’t feel up to it.

Brees could play into his early 40s, but even elite NFL quarterbacks nosedive in productivity in their late 30s. Peyton Manning fell off a cliff in 2015, Tom Brady isn’t young, and neither is Carson Palmer.

It’s not an immediate need, but the Saints, Patriots, and Cardinals could be in line for a new franchise quarterback in the next few NFL Drafts. Arizona will probably be the first of the three to need a new quarterback. Brees and Brady could play into their 40s with their passing styles, but if Brees can’t be a productive NFL quarterback after 2017, the Saints have no incentive not to cut him.

Next: 1. Gives Saints time to find long-term replacement

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