The Facts: The Saints have agreed in principle with Brees on a one-year contract extension, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported, via a source informed of the deal. He'll receive $44.25 million fully guaranteed over the next two years, Rapoport added.

Diehards Line: Content to earn $19.75 million in the final season of a five-year, $100 million contract, Brees warned that he would cease negotiations once the season kicks off this weekend. He held inordinate leverage with knowledge that the 2017 franchise tag would carry a prohibitive cap charge of $43.2 million. The deal is understandable. As the New Orleans Times-Picayune notes, the Brees-era Saints (2006-15) have joined the Joe Montana/Steve Young-era 49ers (1982-1996) and the Roger Staubach/Danny White-era Cowboys (1970-1983) as the only three teams since the NFL merger to rank in the top 10 in total offense for 10 consecutive seasons.