Drew Brees is on the last year of a 5 year, $100 million contract that included $60 million in guaranteed money. Before he signed that deal in July of 2012, Brees publicly held out of OTA’s. The Saints will likely look to avoid the chance of this happening again and extend his contract before the season starts. But is that the best decision for head coach Sean Payton and the rest of the team?

Of course it is, ya dope.

Despite the fact that Drew Brees has already played 15 seasons in the NFL, he has shown minimal signs of slowing down. Last year he threw 32 touchdowns, tied for 7th in the league. And for Drew Brees’ standards, it may have actually been considered a down year. Yao Ming would have to stand on his tippy toes to reach the floor of Drew Brees’ stellar play year in and year out. He has not posted a QBR below 90 or thrown for less than 30 touchdowns since 2007, a year where the threw 28 TD’s with a QBR of 89.4. Betting on Brees to throw for 30 scores with a QBR above 90 is the safest bet you can make in the NFL right next to the Patriots making the playoffs and the Browns missing them.

According to Yahoo Sports, a Brees contract extension will likely find itself in the 4 year, $100 million with $65 million guaranteed range. While that is a lot of money to pay an aging QB (Brees turns 38 in January), it is an incredibly convenient problem to have to pay your Hall of Fame bound star before they ride off into the sunset. The Denver Broncos paid Peyton Manning $58 million guaranteed at age 36 and despite Peyton’s skill declining to a near Mark Sanchezian level last year, I am quite certain John Elway would say the deal was worth it for the two Super Bowl appearances and one Lombardi Trophy this past season.

If the Saints decide not to pay Drew Brees after this season, the Saints QB situation may be in flux for years to come. Luke McCown, a 34 year old career back up who is likely best known for being hysterical in a cell phone commercial rather than his football playing ability, and Garrett Grayson, a 2015 3rd round pick out of Colorado State who is yet to see an NFL snap, are the only other QBs on the roster. While there are some appealing names on the free agent market at the position following this year (Andrew Luck, Kirk Cousins), the Saints would be wise not to count on being able to woo either QB to Big Easy.

A new contract for Brees will certainly be big, but it should also be an easy decision to make.