Drew Brees is willing to take one for the team. The New Orleans Saints' season if officially over following a loss to the Seattle Seahawks in the playoffs and now the team can begin to focus on the upcoming free agency run. One of the biggest names in this year's class is tight end Jimmy Graham and Brees is willing to do whatever it takes to keep his favorite receiver.
As of now, the Saints are projected to be more than $12 million over the salary cap. That will force the team to make some tough decisions regarding free agents and those on expiring contracts. Bress is the biggest hit to the cap with his $18.4 million salary next season. His numbers then spike to $26.4 million and $27.4 million for the following two seasons. That contract alone will either force the Saints to let players like Graham walk to free agency or consider restructuring current contracts.
Brees told reporters that he is open to restructuring his contract if it means the Saints can free up space to re-sign free agents. With the salary cap being at $126 million, the quarterback says he can easily move some money around.
"Whatever I can do to help this team, if they want to come to me and extend me even further, that'd be great," Brees said, via the New Orleans Times-Picayune. "Listen, there are so many possibilities as to what can happen here. Let's just let this offseason start. It's what, today's the second day of it unfortunately. We all wish it wasn't, but whatever helps this team win and puts the best team on the field."
Graham is one of the most important pieces to the Saints offense. The tight end became Brees' favorite target in 2013 and is expecting a nice pay raise for his increased numbers. If Graham were to hit the free agent market, every team would call his number. Any team with a good amount of available space would jump at the opportunity.
Graham could get the franchise tag from the Saints and be labeled as a wide receiver in terms of money. The tight end put up 1,215 yards on 86 receptions this season, leading the team in every receiving category. A tight end one-year deal was worth $6.07 million in 2013 while a wide receiver got $10.54 million with the one-year tag. Obviously Graham would enjoy the extra cash.
Brees wants and needs Graham on the Saints for years to come. Despite turning 35 this year, Brees is showing no signs of slowing down and wants all of the offensive weapons he can get.
"You look around and look at the veteran leadership on this team, you look at the young talent, you look at the systems in which we play, this organization and the expectation level that we've set for ourselves, the track record, and you would say the future is as bright as we want it to be. As hard as we're willing to work, it's all there for us," Brees said. "Now every year is a new year and you've got to re-establish that identity every year. The term 'window of opportunity,' in my opinion, is always there for us, for this team, for this organization, for this staff and this group of players. It's always open."