NFL free agency update: Saints sign Drew Brees to $50M deal

By Josh Hill | Mar 13, 2018

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - JANUARY 14: Drew Brees No. 9 of the New Orleans Saints looks to pass against the Minnesota Vikings during the first half of the NFC Divisional Playoff game at U.S. Bank Stadium on January 14, 2018 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /

Drew Brees will be back in New Orleans after all, striking a two-year deal with the Saints.

There was some minor doubt — more of a last minute scare — that the New Orleans Saints weren’t going to be able to sign Drew Brees. It was a possibility for about half a second before the inevitable deal to keep him on the bayou was reached.

A situation where Brees walked away from the Saints would have needed to be so profoundly screwed up that all bridges had been burned. He’s been the franchise for well over a decade-plus, and running him out of town would have taken some sort of great offense that can’t even be imagined.

Fans can rest easy though, knowing Brees will now likely finish his career with the Saints. Sweetening the pot is the idea that he now has at least two more years to try and win another Super Bowl and perhaps retire on top.

Contract details

It’s a massive deal for an aging quarterback, but one that does right by a franchise legend. Brees has secured a two-year, $50 million deal. While large in scale, it’s chump change for what he can provide the team.

National reaction

Drew Brees’ deal will be written as a two-year deal, but in actuality it will be a one-year deal with a team option after the first year, per source. It also will include a no-trade clause, virtually ensuring that Brees finishes his career in New Orleans.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 13, 2018

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Grade

This was a no-brainer for the Saints, who needed to re-sign Brees at any cost. He’s a legend and icon with the team, and losing him in free agency would have been an offense so intense that the franchise probably should have been contracted. New Orleans had a Super Bowl caliber team last year and they’re only going to get better this offseason. Bringin back Brees to captain the ship was the only move and now the Saints have suddenly opened their championship window back up for at least the next two seasons.

Grade: A+

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