Some things to consider for the Saints as they wait on Drew Brees’ decision

I feel as if time has come to a complete standstill with all things New Orleans Saints until quarterback Drew Brees announces his career plans.

In a way, the buildup to the moment reminds me of NCAA football signing day.

Might we see No. 9 sitting at a table inside Jimmy John’s or Walk-On’s Bistreaux & Bar, flanked by wife Brittany and their four children, Baylen, Bowen, Callen and Rylen, with Brees’ super agent, Tom Condon, hovering nearby?

Imagine the suspense as Brees reaches for a baseball cap that bears the name of the Saints, or ESPN, or NFL Network, or Fox, or CBS, or NBC, or City of New Orleans, or the Pro Football Hall of Fame or any other potential landing spot that might await him.

Imagine the shock-and-awe felt in New Orleans, the Gulf Coast Region, Who Dat Nation and around the NFL if Brees chooses the wrong cap.

What Den?

I shudder to think.

Look, until Decision Day rolls around and Brees reveals his plans, the hands of Saints officials are essentially tied with regards to tweaking their 2020 roster. Yes, general manager Mickey Loomis and Sean Payton have a good idea what they want to do with personnel matters in the coming weeks and months, but it all begins with No. 9.

As of now, the Saints are projected to have approximately $12.3 million in salary cap room, the fourth fewest cap dollars in the NFL, chump change compared to other well-heeled franchises such as Miami, Indianapolis, Tampa Bay and Buffalo, each in excess of $80M.

I suspect that Brees will stay the course with the Saints when all is said and done.

The question is at what cost? And how will the trickle down affect the fates of unrestricted free agent QB Teddy Bridgewater and restricted free agent QB Taysom Hill?

In other Saints-related developments:

▪ Hill reportedly sees himself as a “franchise’‘ quarterback. And while “Gadget Man” wishes to remain with the Saints, he would answer the door if opportunity knocks elsewhere. Payton acknowledges there could be a suitor or two for Hill even if the Saints offer the highest tender of $6 million that features a compensatory No. 1 pick if they decline to match the other team’s offer.

“He was valuable (waiver) claim for us,’‘ Payton said. “Like gold bullion.’‘

▪ The departure of well-respected linebackers coach Mike Nolan to the Dallas Cowboys shortly after the season ended went relatively unnoticed. His loss is significant, the first shot across the bow in the Saints’ offseason. Nolan helped stabilize a shaky second level of defense for coordinator Dennis Allen thanks in part to Demario Davis, arguably the best Saints middle linebacker since the late Sam Mills of the Dome Patrol in the late 80’s and early 90’s. Nolan takes over the defense for new Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy.

▪ Wouldn’t be surprised if RB Alvin Kamara misses offseason- and OTA-workouts if he doesn’t get a new contract. He is entering the last year of his four-year rookie contract and is scheduled to make a base salary of $977,500 this season.

▪ Also, wouldn’t be surprised to see Saints officials move on from three free agents — guard Andrus Peat, cornerback Eli Apple and defensive tackle DT David Onyemata — and restructure the contract of veteran cornerback Janoris Jenkins who’s scheduled to pocket $11.25 million in base salary.

Free agency starts in earnest March 18. But the Brees Watch is well underway.

This story was originally published February 14, 2020 at 9:26 AM with the headline "Some things to consider for the Saints as they wait on Drew Brees’ decision."