It looks like the financial struggle between the New Orleans Saints and franchise quarterback Drew Brees could finally be coming to an end before next week’s deadline for franchise players to sign a long-term contract. The New Orleans Times-Picayune expects Brees and the Saints to agree to a five-year deal.

The five-year deal is expected to be worth $19.2 million to $20 million per year. Mike Tripplet wrote:

The Saints have already offered Brees the richest contract in league history, surpassing the $19.2 million per year that the Denver Broncos gave quarterback Peyton Manning earlier this year, though it’s not clear exactly how the deal is structured. Frankly, that should be enough to get the deal done. And maybe it will be if the Saints refuse to give another inch over the next week. Meanwhile, Brees and agent Tom Condon will try to push that number up to $20 million per year, and they’ll push for more guaranteed money and more money in the first three years. And good for them if they can get it. This could be the last big contract of Brees’ career, and he deserves as much as he can get after outperforming all of his previous contracts.

Both sides seem determined to get the deal done and it seems all but certain that it will. This is the long bright spot for the Saints and their fans this troubled offseason. If the deal somehow does not get done, it would be hard to imagine Brees coming back to the team following this season.

But for now, don’t worry about that. It looks like Brees is poised to finish off his NFL career with a five-year deal with the Saints.

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