The New Orleans Saints couldn't have asked for more from quarterback Drew Brees after he joined the team as a free agent just prior to the 2006 season.
Since his addition, Brees has led the team to a run of consistent offensive and overall team success, culminating in a Super Bowl XLIV victory over the Indianapolis Colts in 2010.
Brees has a career 95.4 quarterback rating and has thrown for 56,033 yards and 396 touchdowns. It's nearly impossible to envision the Saints taking the field without him at the helm of their offense, but according to a report from Mike Freeman of Bleacher Report, that very scenario could unfold in the not-too-distant future.
"Things could change. Drew Brees could go through a salary restructure. He could voluntarily reduce his cap number. But if he refuses, if he doesn't, Brees will be gone next year," writes Freeman.
"The Saints are in salary-cap hell. Next year is the last year of Brees' contract and his salary-cap number is a stunning $27 million. The problem the Saints have is that even if Brees restructures, it may not be enough, and it's at the point where as long as Brees is on the Saints, the team will be in salary-cap purgatory."
Taking into account the acrimonious legal battle between Saints owner Tom Benson and his heirs and the effect it may have on the futures of head coach Sean Payton and GM Mickey Loomis and the Brees-Payton era could be drawing to a close sooner than Saints fans would think.
Freeman believes that the now 36-year-old is clearly in decline at this point in his NFL career and, based on his previous high levels of achievement, it's hard to argue.
Brees dipped under the 5,000-yard passing mark last season for the first time in three seasons despite throwing more passes than each of the last two years. His touchdowns, 33, dipped as well, while his interceptions, 17, jumped up a bit from the previous year.
Based on the team's moves thus far this offseason - jettisoning All Pro tight end Jimmy Graham and speedy receiver Kenny Stills, adding a mauler of a center in Max Unger, resigning Mark Ingram and adding CJ Spiller at the running back position - it seems the Saints might be preparing to employ a much more run-oriented offense next season.
Whether that portends a future without Brees or simply indicates an attempt to take some of the pressure off their aging franchise quarterback and actually extend his career remains to be seen.
One thing is for certain though - $27 million is a high cap figure for a quarterback you're no longer depending on to consistently produce points and operate as the engine of your offense.
