The New Orleans Saints aren’t allowed to use the franchise tag on quarterback Drew Brees, meaning he needs a new deal or he’ll become a free agent in March.
At age 39, New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees is getting close to the end of his career. Still, the future first-ballot Hall of Famer isn’t quite ready to hang up his cleats. With more football on his mind, Brees will have to figure out whether he’s staying or going, with his contract up after this year.
There has been much talk that the Saints could simply place the franchise tag on Brees, keeping him in-house for the 2018-19 season while the sides continue to work toward a Super Bowl. However, according to ESPN, there is a clause in Brees’ current contract that keeps the Saints from making such a move.
It’s highly unlikely that Brees is going to be playing elsewhere in 2018. New Orleans has no reason not to want him back after watching the 11-time Pro Bowler and four-time All-Pro post 4,334 passing yards and 23 touchdowns alongside a 72 percent completion rate.
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After losing in heartbreaking fashion to the Minnesota Vikings in the NFC Divisional playoffs on Sunday, the Saints should regroup and make another run at a second championship. The team is stocked with young stars in Marshon Lattimore, Cameron Jordan, Mark Ingram and Alvin Kamara, not to mention Michael Thomas and a terrific offensive line.
If Brees were to hit the free-agent market come March, however, he might get offers that would far exceed anything coming out of the Bayou. A bevy of teams would be interested including the Jacksonville Jaguars, Denver Broncos, Arizona Cardinals and others.