Even from exile, Sean Payton was confident the Drew Brees deal was going to happen.
The suspended Saints coach told Mike Triplett of the New Orleans Times-Picayune he was sure the five-year, $100 million deal would eventually happen.
Payton was forbidden by the terms of his suspension from having contact with either side (cough, cough, sorry, something stuck in my throat), but tried to stay abreast of the news like the rest of us.
“I think I said this before, it wasn’t a question of ‘if,’ it was a question of ‘when,’” Payton said. “I’m excited. I’m excited and happy for him as well as the Saints. I think it’s a good deal for both parties. I know a lot of work’s gone into it, with [General Manager Mickey Loomis] and [Brees’ agent] Tom Condon.
“I kind of look at things in a glass-half-full way. It just came down to the last couple days, and I felt confident all along that both parties would be able to work something out, and I’m happy they did.”
Having Brees in camp is more important than ever before, given Payton’s absence.
“I think his stability, his leadership and all the things he brings to our team -- certainly this season, but really in any season - are extremely valuable,” Payton said.
At the moment, the only coaching Payton’s doing is assisting with his son’ sixth-grade team in Dallas. But when he returns to New Orleans, he’s going to have a very rich, and hopefully happy quarterback.