Earlier Friday, the New Orleans Saints and quarterback Drew Brees agreed to a five-year, $100 million contract that includes $60 million in guaranteed money and $40 million in 2012. The deal is the richest in NFL history, with the $40 million that Brees will earn this season (despite counting only $10.4 million against the cap) more money than the salaries of the other 10 projected starters on the Saints' offense.
Here's that breakdown:
Running back (We're going with Pierre Thomas and Jed Collins as the starters): Thomas is due $2.16 million in base salary and a $100,000 workout bonus in the second of a four-year, $11.545 million extension he signed just prior to the 2011 lockout. Collins is due $465,000 in base salary in the second of a three-year "Reserve/Futures" contract he signed in January of 2011. Total cash payout at running back position: $2.725 million.
Wide receiver: Marques Colston signed a five-year, $36.3 million extension on March 13. Included in that deal was a $10 million signing bonus, $1.2 million base salary and $100,000 workout bonus for a year one haul of $11.3 million. Devery Henderson is entering the last year of a four-year, $12 million contract and will earn $2.75 million, a sum comprised of a $2.65 million in base salary with a $100,000 workout bonus. Total cash payout for starting receivers: $14.05 million.
Tight end: All-Pro Jimmy Graham will earn $540,000 in base salary in the third year of his $2.55 million rookie contract. Total cash payout for starting tight end: $540,000.
Offensive Line: Left tackle Jermon Bushrod will earn $5.15 million in the second year of a two-year, $9.65 million extension. To replace Carl Nicks, the Saints signed left guard Ben Grubbs to a five-year, $36 million deal that included an $10 million signing bonus and $700,000 base salary this season. Center Brian De La Puente will earn $540,000 as an exclusive rights free agent. Right guard Jahri Evans reworked his seven-year, $56.7 million extension for cap purposes in March, but will still earn the same $3.2 million he was scheduled to in his original contract. Right tackle Charles Brown is due $540,000 in the third year of his $2.885 million rookie contract. Total cash payout for the projected starting offensive line: $20.13 million.
2012 Cash Totals
Brees: $40 million
Rest of Saints offense: $37.755 million