New Orleans Saints and Drew Brees far apart in valuations, QB remains optimistic about new deal
The saga surrounding New Orleans Saints quarterback, Drew Brees’ contract situation shows no sign of ending even as we get closer and closer to the July 16th deadline.
With just days remaining for both parties to complete negotiations on a new long-term contract, news has emerged that the quarterback and Saints are $ 10 million apart in guaranteed money.
The news emerged on Wednesday after sources close to the negotiation told the
Associated Press that both Brees and the Saints were no closer to hammering out the deal.
New Orleans had earlier this offseason placed their star quarterback on a franchise tag worth $ 16.3 million for the season to buy more time for negotiations.
However, nothing fruitful has emerged in the many months since then.
Brees had earlier hinted that he might hold out of training camp if a new contract cannot be agreed and has refused to sign his franchise tender.
A five-year $ 100 million worth contract is currently being negotiated but the difference of $ 10 million in guaranteed money is stalling progress as deadline day approaches.
Brees participated in Wednesday’s ESPY Awards and said in an interview that he is still optimistic about reaching an agreement with the Saints on a new deal.
He said:
"I'm an eternal optimist, so I'm still very confident a deal will get done by Monday.”
Adding further he said:
"I think I've been around this league long enough to understand how this works at times. In a lot of cases, it does go down to the wire, and you need a stopping point in order to bring everyone together and make sure it can get done. That stopping point
is Monday, so let's hope we get something done by then."
Saints fans will be hoping that Monday will provide them with some good news regarding the situation of their best player in history.
Brees was the force behind the team’s only Super Bowl Championship victory in history and the team need him more than ever this season as they struggle with the effects of the bounty scandal punishments.
It is time for both parties to get a deal ready fast and bring the focus back on preparations for the new season.
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