New Orleans Saints tight end Jimmy Graham (80) runs from defensive end Martez Wilson (95) during a morning training camp practice at the team facility. Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton said Wednesday he expects the team to reach a long-term contract extension with Pro Bowl tight end Jimmy Graham.
The Saints used the one-year franchise tag on Graham on March 3. Both sides have been in negotiations, and Payton is confident a deal will be complete before the July deadline.
“It’s hard to put a timetable on it,” Payton said at the NFL owners meetings in Orlando, Fla. “But I would say very similar to Drew (Brees’ contract), I think all of us feel like it’s just a matter of not if, but when. I don’t know if there’s nervous anticipation.”
Graham led the Saints in receptions (86), yards (1,215) and touchdowns (16) last season.
New Orleans has been dealing with salary cap issues this offseason.
There has been a debate on position classification with Graham. He plays tight end but wants to be designated as a wide receiver. The amount of money a receiver would earn as a franchised player is considerably more than what a tight end would make if the franchise tag is applied.
As a tight end with a franchise tag, Graham would receive a one-year contract worth $7.053 million. If he were classified as a receiver, Graham would get a one-year deal worth $12.132 million.
“They know it’s a process and Jimmy’s got great representation,” Payton said. “There’s a ton of respect between (agent) Jimmy Sexton and (general manager) Mickey Loomis. All of those things is what makes it a positive, although difficult at times.”
