Ordinarily when an NFL player is set to become a free agent, a team can still retain said player for two additional years by using the franchise tag. That may not be the case for the New Orleans Saints and Drew Brees.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that Brees has a special clause in his contract that blocks the Saints from being able to use the franchise tag on him.
A player given an exclusive franchise tag (meaning he can’t sign an offer sheet with another team) is paid the average of what the top-five paid players at the position are paid, or 120 percent of their previous salary, whichever is greater. This year’s franchise tag for QBs pays around $22 million. It would certainly rise next year.
Brees is set to be a free agent after the season. Schefter says that just because Brees’ contract blocks the use of a franchise tag does not mean he shouldn’t be expected to return to the Saints if the 38-year-old decides to continue playing.
Even at his age Brees continues to play at a high level. He has led the league in passing yards three straight years. He also led the league in completions and attempts two of the past three seasons.
