Seeing quarterback Chase Daniel on the field’s usually a good sign for the New Orleans Saints.
The thrower of eight garbage-time passes has taken all the first-team work during Saints OTAs, in the absence of unsigned franchise player Drew Brees. But Daniel said recently he’s not sure how much longer he has at the wheel.
Daniel said he speaks to Brees daily, and remains optimistic a long-term deal gets done. Multiple reports said a new deal was offered last week (Florio actually was told the new offer came the Thursday before), though things have gone quiet since then.
“He’s had a busy offseason, but I know for a fact — and believe me when I say this — he’s working very hard on getting a deal done every single day,” Daniel told Alex Marvez of FOXSports.com. “He wants it to be a long-term deal. We’re all hopeful we can get this done and not drag it out any longer. But I think there are specifications that Drew and our organization have to deal with together.”
Daniel has no illusions (or delusions) about the starting job in New Orleans, but does think the current work can help him reach his long-term goal of being a starter in the league.
“That’s the mindset I’ve always had. I think it’s served me pretty well,” Daniel said. “I am getting valuable experience right now and I love it. It’s great stuff for me.”
Being the backup in the right place at the right time has paid off handsomely for players such as Matt Cassel, Matt Schaub, and Matt Flynn (and even some guys not named Matt).
For Daniel, having the keys to such a polished offense can only help, as he enters free agency next offseason.