Brees confident Saints, Graham will reach deal

The Sports Xchange

July 06, 2014 at 12:08 pm.

Jimmy Graham is an elite weapon whether he is considered a TE or WR. (Crystal LoGiudice-USA TODAY Sports)

The New Orleans Saints have until July 15 to reach an agreement with tight end Jimmy Graham on a contract and quarterback Drew Brees said he believes a deal will get done.

NBC’s Pro Football Talk reported Saturday that the Saints made Graham an offer that would pay him $9.5 million per season, which would make him the highest-paid tight end in the NFL. However, there are no indications that the offer will be accepted.

When Brees was asked by CanalStreetChronicles.com if he was confident the two sides would come to an agreement, Brees said, “Yeah I am.”

It is the same offer the team made before arbitrator Stephen Burbank ruled last week that confirmed the Saints could franchise Graham as a tight end.

The Saints had franchised Graham as a tight end but Graham disputed the tag, arguing that he should be paid as a wide receiver.

The franchise tag for a wide receiver is $12.312 million while a tight end is tagged for $7.035 million.

When Brees was asked for his opinion of the ruling, the quarterback said, “It doesn’t really matter.”

Rob Gronkowski of the New England Patriots is currently the league’s highest-paid tight end at an average of $9 million per season. He signed a six-year, $54 million deal in 2012.

The Saints’ offer may include guaranteed money that is near the $23 million that San Francisco 49ers tight end Vernon Davis received with his contract in 2010. Davis is holding out for more money.

If Graham plays under the franchise tag for the next two seasons, he would make $15.5 million over that span.

“Jimmy Graham has revolutionized the position,” Brees said. “He’s a guy who is so talented at so many things, you know, and obviously he’s a big part of our offense and I hope that they’re able to reach a long-term agreement here sooner than later. At the end of the day, this is part of the process and I think we all understand that.”

In 2012, Brees reached an agreement on a long-term contract with the Saints just two days before the July 15 deadline.

“I was in somewhat of a similar position two years ago, so I get it,” Brees said. “I understand how this goes, but he knows that all of his teammates are behind him and hoping that he’s able to get what he deserves and then rejoin the team as quickly as possible.”