-
Drew Brees in action for New Orleans Saints - Source: Getty Images
The New Orleans Saints and record-setting quarterback Drew Brees agreed to a five-year, $100 million contract today, bringing some good news to a franchise that has been at the centre of an off-season scandal.
Terms of the contract were not disclosed by the Saints, but the NFL's website said Brees, who reportedly wasn't going to report to training camp without a new deal, agreed to a five-year, $100 million contract.
"Now we must turn our focus to getting ready for the start of training camp, and to keeping with our goal of being the first team in NFL history to host and play in a Super Bowl," said Saints owner Tom Benson.
Brees, who broke Hall of Famer Dan Marino's single-season National Football League (NFL) record for passing yardage when he threw for 5,476 yards in 2011, confirmed the signing on his Twitter account, saying: "The Deal is Done".
The six-time Pro-Bowl quarterback's contract is worth $40 million in the first year and includes $60 million in guaranteed money, according to the report on the NFL's website, which cited a source with direct knowledge of the situation.
Brees, who joined the Saints in 2006 after spending his first five campaigns with the San Diego Chargers, led the team to a maiden Super Bowl title in 2009 and was named the championship game's Most Valuable Player.
The deal is welcome relief for a franchise that has been dogged by turmoil after the NFL revealed the team had a program that rewarded players with cash rewards for knocking opponents out of games.
Several coaches, and current and former Saints players have been suspended as part of the investigation, and the organisation was fined and stripped of draft picks.