"Quarterback Drew Brees' agent, Tom Condon, spent the day in New Orleans on Tuesday to meet with New Orleans Saints General Manager Mickey Loomis and try to narrow the gap in their contract negotiations. "We spent a good deal of time together and had a substantial talk," said Condon, though he said he couldn't characterize how far along the talks are.

Although both sides are clearly motivated to work out an extension at some point, a deal could come together within a matter of days or take several months to finalize.

Brees, 32, is in the final year of his contract with the Saints. But the Saints aren't under immediate pressure to work out an extension because they can use the franchise tag on him next season, which would pay him the average salary of the five highest-paid quarterbacks in the NFL."