Saints Giving Brees New Deal

NFL News - February 4th, 2010 - Written by John Ritter

When the New Orleans Saints signed Drew Brees the first time around, it was a huge risk to bring his surgically repaired arm on-board.

This time is, well, not so much of a gamble.

Team officials told ESPN's Adam Schefter that their plan is to re-negotiate Brees' deal after the Super Bowl to put him closer to the top of the list of highest-paid quarterbacks.

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback currently has the highest single-season salary when he cashed in for $27 million in 2008, and New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning has the league's highest-current total deal at $97 million over six years.

The Indianapolis Colts announced earlier in the week that they planned on making their quarterback, Peyton Manning, the highest-paid player in the league this off-season.

Brees is currently the 17th-highest paid quarterback in the NFL, despite carrying the team to it's first-ever Super Bowl berth and being named starter in the Pro Bowl.

But that was a good price for him way back in 2006, when teams considered taking him a risk. He had just come off shoulder surgery and was released by the San Diego Chargers. He would have signed with the Miami Dolphins had they shown any interest. But medical expert Dr. James Andrews warned then-head coach Nick Saban that the likelyhood of him making a speedy recovery was minimal, and the Dolphins chose to trade for Daunte Culpepper instead.

Brees was forced to sign with the only other interested team, New Orleans, for $60 million. Not a paltry price, but one that puts the Saints in a precarious position almost five years later. The team considered re-structuring the deal last season, which would have probably netted a huge bargain, but wanted to see what he would do in 2009.

He has taken the team to two NFC Championships, and could be the city's biggest hero if he wins on Sunday. Next year is expected to be played without a salary cap, meaning New Orleans can go way over it's $88 million restriction from this year.

Regardless, it is certain agent Tom Condon will be in for a big pay day himself. He represents both Brees and Manning.