A very simple observation from Mike Triplett of the New Orleans Times-Picayune regarding the status of the contract talks between the Saints and quarterback Drew Brees has been interpreted by some news aggregators far more broadly to mean that a deal could be coming.
It’s not, barring some dramatic and unforeseen developments.
Triplett pointed out that the Saints are playing the Rams in St. Louis this weekend, and that it’s “likely” the two sides will touch base, since Brees’ agent, Tom Condon, operates out of St. Louis. But this presumes that there’s a reason to touch base, or to otherwise negotiate.
There isn’t, barring some dramatic and unforeseen developments.
Per a source with knowledge of the situation, no progress is expected this weekend. Though there could be a perfunctory phone call, the fact that the Saints are coming to the town where Condon works isn’t the kind of thing that will break the ice on this one. The two sides have very different views of the manner in which Brees should be compensated, and by all appearances this one is on track for Brees to finish the season without a new deal, to be slapped with the franchise tag, and to then be faced with the decision of whether to miss the offseason program, training camp, and/or the preseason as he tries to get the kind of long-term deal he wants.