Brees downplays contract uncertainty, touts his longevity

WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W.Va. (AP) — Drew Brees was patient and non-confrontational while fielding repeated questions about why he and the New Orleans Saints weren't able to negotiate a contract extension before Thursday's opening training camp practice.

If anything, the star quarterback became testier when the subject of rookie safety's interception came up.

Standing nearby, one of Brees' oldest teammates, right tackle Zach Strief, hardly seemed surprised.

"Look, he's a highly competitive and highly professional guy that is way more worried about the fact he threw an interception in seven-on-seven than he is about a contract right now," Strief said. "That's just how Drew is . ... Everything he does is like, unbelievably focused. He's like a weirdo."

And that, Strief said, is why the Saints shouldn't worry about Brees' ability to compartmentalize the uncertainty that arises for any pro athlete in the last year of a contract.

Around the NFL and in New Orleans in particular, many seem puzzled by the fact that the Saints haven't been able to nail down a new, long-term deal with their franchise quarterback, who has passed for 48,555 yards and 348 touchdowns in 10 seasons with the club — not to mention MVP honors in New Orleans' only Super Bowl triumph.

After all that, and the fact that the 37-year-old Brees has repeatedly said he wants to end his career in New Orleans, shouldn't an extension have been easier to hammer out?

"I would hope so, but I also know that sometimes these take time," Brees said, stressing that "nothing is adversarial."

"I've got a great relationship with (general manager) Mickey Loomis and have for my entire time here," Brees continued. "There's a process to this and it's not an exact science."

Brees has stated that once the regular season begins, he intends to cut off negotiations because he doesn't want his contract status to distract him from preparing for a game.

He took the same approach in 2011, which was not without risk because an injury could

Under center: New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees, right, lines up behind center Max Unger during training camp in White Sulphur Springs, W.Va., on Thursday.