Report: Saints Place Franchise Tag On Quarterback Drew Brees

After trying and failing to reach an agreement on a contract extension with Drew Brees, the New Orleans Saints have decided to retain the quarterback next season under the franchise tag, according to ESPN.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported on Friday that Brees and the Saints remained millions of dollars apart in contract talks; Brees is rumored to be seeking an offer of $23 million per season in the first three years, a la Peyton Manning. Rather than risk letting him walk in free agency to find said offer, the Saints tagged Brees today.

Brees has thrown for 40,742 yards and 281 touchdowns in his eight-year NFL career; he’s spent the last six years in New Orleans, earning $60 million. He set an NFL single-season record last season with 5,476 yards passing.