Report: Drew Brees, Saints close to agreement on short-term extension

Quarterback Drew Brees had given the New Orleans Saints a start-of-the-season deadline to agree to a contract extension before he enters the final year of his deal, and it appears the team is ready to beat that.

Brees, a nine-time Pro Bowl selection, is in the final season of a five-year, $100 million deal and will hit the open market in the offseason without a new contract. As months went by without the sides talking about an extension, there had been speculation that the rebuilding Saints might not want to commit long-term to a 37-year-old quarterback, even if he is the team’s best player.

But talks resumed this week and appear to be picking up steam. Perhaps a shorter-term deal – Brees reportedly initially was seeking $100 over four years – will be the compromise both sides need to get it done.