The Facts: Following up on the ongoing story. ... Frustration has built with Brees, according to sources with knowledge of the situation, and the Saints will franchise him, short of a rapidly developing long-term deal. The NFL's franchise-tag deadline is March 5, and free agency begins the following week.
Diehards Line:As recently as Feb. 23, Brees told the New Orleans Times-Picayune that he "still was very optimistic" a long-term deal would be reached, but NFL Network insider Jason La Canfora reports the former Super Bowl MVP is surprised the situation has taken this long. According to La Canfora, the falling price of franchise tags - the price for a quarterback is $14.4 million - combined with Colts quarterback Peyton Manning's contract and injury situation, however, complicate the top-end quarterback market some, and the sides have been unable to come to agreement on a multi-year deal. ... Stay tuned. More undoubtedly to come.