The standoff between the New Orleans Saints and franchise quarterback Drew Brees took a turn for the worst, as ESPN reports Brees plans to sit out of training camp if a long-term deal can't be finalized by Monday's 4 p.m. ET deadline.
Brees and the Saints must work out a long-term contract by July 16 or he will be required to play the 2012 season under his $16.371 million exclusive-rights franchise tender that restricts the free agent from signing with another team.
Under the current collective bargaining agreement, Brees would have until Tuesday after the 10th regular-season game to sign his tender or he would be prohibited from playing the remainder of the season. If Brees misses any games, his 2012 salary would be a prorated amount of the $16.371 million based on the number of games remaining once he signs his tender.
Further complicating things, arbitrator Stephen Burbank ruled last Tuesday that this tender marked the second time Brees had been tagged. Burbank also clarified that the CBA was intended for a player to be franchised no more than three times in his career. If Brees were to sign a tender this year and the Saints franchise him again in 2013, the team must offer Brees a 44 percent raise to a $23.57 million salary next season.
ESPN's Chris Mortenson reported via anonymous sources that Brees won't sign the franchise tag tender and has no plans to show up for training camp if a long-term contract isn't reached. According to ESPN, Brees still seeks a five-year deal worth $20.5 million per year, and the Saints' last offer was for $19.25 million per year, which is slightly more than the $19.2 million the Denver Broncos gave Peyton Manning.
The Saints feel their offer satisfies the standard that will make Brees the highest-paid quarterback in the league, even though Manning's contract and $19.2 million average salary was accomplished within 24 hours after he chose Denver.
Brees is without-a-doubt the most important, and valuable, player is Saints franchise history.
During the past six seasons, Brees led the team to their first Super Bowl title and completed more passes(2,488) for more yards (28,394) and more touchdowns (201) than any other NFL quarterback. His 67.8 percent completion rate thru the six seasons also tops the league.
In 2011, Brees set NFL single-season records with 468 completions, 5,476 yards passing and a completion percentage of 71.2. His numbers alone helped the Saints set an NFL high for total offensive yards in a season with 7,474.
Brees has strongly expressed his desire to finish his career with the Saints, but does not want to play with the risk of a one-year contract after his experience with the Chargers.
This offseason marks the first time Brees has had the opportunity to negotiate a major, long-term deal. Since signing a six-year deal with the Saints back in 2006, Brees expects to be paid in the range of the league's best quarterbacks.
With Monday's deadline rapidly approaching, sources say there is still work remaining on both the structure of the and the amount of guaranteed money.