Brees reaffirms commitment to Saints

Drew Brees is ready to being his 13th year with the New Orleans Saints.

All that stands between the 39-year-old quarterback and the 2018 season with the Saints is a new contract.

But Brees sounds entirely optimistic about his future being in New Orleans as his the final days of his existing five-year, $100 million contract melt away with the Saints watching the remainder of the playoffs.

"I'm not in the mood to make anything secretive," Brees said Tuesday when asked if he's prepared to be chased down for answers about where he'll be next season. "It's the same way I felt two days ago. It's the same way I felt 12 years ago. That is that I'll be here as long as they'll have me, hopefully."

Because of a clause in his contract, the Saints cannot use the franchise tag to retain Brees. Keeping him certainly means a multi-year agreement. Brees said he will play well into his 40s. He turned 39 on Monday, the day after the Saints were eliminated from the postseason on a last-second touchdown by Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Stefon Diggs.

The door opens to free agency on March 16, when the other 31 NFL teams could approach Brees with their own contract offers.

"We're just two days removed, so I really haven't given it a ton of thought -- other than, I know where my mindset's been the whole time, and that's that I'll be here."

Brees' last one-year extension was worth $24.25 million.

The Saints won the NFC South and should bring back the majority of their starters on both sides of the ball.

"I feel like we have a great window of opportunity. I've been a part of talented teams in the past throughout my career, though, that have not lived up to expectations. I've also been a part of teams that were just gutsy and gritty, and surpassed expectations," Brees said. "So the bottom line is that success is dependent upon your willingness to work and the way that guys care about each other and the sense of urgency. So while I think we do have a talented team, I know that each year you have to go out and prove it."

--Field Level Media