Brew Brees Inks $100 Million Deal

Added on Jul 13, 2012 by Scott in

NFL

Between the ongoing bounty scandal and Drew Brees’ lingering contract issues, the offseason has belonged to the New Orleans Saints, for better or worse. Well, at least one of these stories can be put to rest after Brees signed a brand spanking new 5-year, $100 million contract earlier today. The deal will reportedly pay the Super Bowl champion signal-caller an average of $20 million per season.

What seemed like a slam dunk foregone conclusion months ago turned into a prolonged debate between Brees and team management. The Saints utilized their franchise tag on Brees to prevent him from negotiating elsewhere, but the chances of him playing the 2012 campaign on a one-year contract were remote.

The lucrative agreement makes Brees the highest paid player in the league, surpassing that of Peyton Manning, who was handed $96 million by the Broncos on March 20th, despite a questionable medical history. The deal also sets a new benchmark for elite quarterbacks in the future.

Brees is coming off a season in which he established a league record for passing yards in a season with 5476, and a career high in touchdown passes with 46. He was one of three quarterbacks to eclipse 5000 yards in 2011, along with New England’s Tom Brady and Detroit’s Matthew Stafford.

Brees currently ranks 11th on the all-time career passing list with 40,742 yards and 9th in touchdown throws with 281. Since becoming a Saint in 2006, he has six consecutive seasons of 4000 yards and has started all but one game. He’s a six-time Pro Bowler, a four-time All-Pro and the MVP of Super Bowl XLIV.

The lack of a league MVP is the only accolade missing from his impressive resume, although it’s easy to argue he’s the game’s most consistent quarterback. With head coach Sean Payton suspended for the upcoming season, Brees will likely assume a much larger leadership role in what promises to be a challenging year for a team in turmoil.

Source: NFL.com