Saints sign Brees, should participate in practices with Pats

ESPN's Chris Mortensen broke the news earlier today that the Saints have signed QB Drew Brees to a 5-year, $100 million contract. The deal is the richest in NFL history in terms of guaranteed dollars. Brees will receive $60 million guaranteed, including $40 million in the first year alone. Not bad.

Comparing this deal to the one Tom Brady signed in 2010, Brady got a 4-year, $72 million dollar deal with $48.5 million in guarantees. At the time, the deal made him the highest paid player in the league in terms of average annual value (AAV). Brees' deal pays him a whopping $40 million, guaranteed, this year, followed by $15 million in 2013 and $6 million in 2014.

There is no word yet on whether any of the money will be paid out of the Saints' bounty fund.

So in terms of AAV, Brees' deal is for more than Brady's ($20M vs. $18M). But don't be surprised if the deal is renegotiated later on, like Brady's was earlier this year.


This is good news for Pats fans in that they should be able to see Brees when the Saints and Pats hold two joint practices in August prior to their August 9 exhibition game.