Stabilize the quarterback position

Drew Brees is about to turn 41, but the scout said this is one spot where the Saints need to stick with the status quo. Brees is about to become a free agent and the Saints have Teddy Bridgewater and Taysom Hill, who are much younger and have upside. But Bridgewater also is about to become a free agent and Hill may be nothing more than a great utility player.

Would you rather have Brees or Bridgewater at somewhere near $30 million a year? The obvious answer is Brees, who still appears to have some good football left in him.

Keeping Brees means the Saints can remain a playoff contender for a year or two while they rebuild at the other positions.

I asked the scout if the Saints still will be the favorite in the NFC South next season.

“Yeah,” the scout said. “As long as they keep Brees. They need him for another year or two to ease the transition elsewhere.’’

 

Pat Yasinskas has covered the NFL since 1993. He has worked for The Tampa Tribune, The Charlotte Observer and ESPN.com and writes for numerous national magazines and websites. He also has served as a voter for the Pro Football Hall of Fame.