NFL Trade Machine: Drew Brees To The Jets
By Erik Lambert
Nov 3, 2013; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) throws a pass against the New York Jets during the first half at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
It’s idea that officially became plausible the moment the New Orleans Saints became to fire off players left and right in a series of NFL trade maneuvers. Jimmy Graham went to the Seahawks and now guard Ben Grubbs is on his way to the Chiefs. There is also talk about shipping Cameron Jordan off to the Giants.
However the biggest name speculated was quarterback Drew Brees.
Saints had life without Drew Brees in mind when pulling trigger on Jimmy Graham trade, report says http://t.co/fah9IkrQTL
— NOLA.com (@NOLAnews) March 12, 2015
It seems unbelievable of course given the Hall of Fame credentials Brees has built in the Big Easy but facts are facts. His contract is suffocating the salary cap for a team desperate for space. He’s also 36-years old and on the down slope of his amazing career. The clock is ticking and it sounds like the Saints aren’t interested in riding it into the ground. Hence the trade idea. So if it were considered, where could they ship him?
At least one team they need to call is the New York Jets. The parameters of such a deal are easy enough to see. New Orleans sends Brees to the Big Apple and either gets a Day 2 pick in return, or more feasibly the two teams swap 1st round picks. The Jets move back to #13 and the Saints grab #6. Perhaps the Jets could send a player or two with in the deal to ease the cap hit.
Benefits For The Jets
Isn’t it obvious? For the first time in forever the New York Jets actually would land themselves a legimate All-Pro and leader under center who knows how to win. Yes, Brees is 36 but Peyton Manning and Tom Brady have proven there should be some gas left in his tank.
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He would have weaponry around him including Brandon Marshall, Eric Decker and Jace Amaro along with a solid ground attack. Better still the Jets have completely revamped their defense by bringing in Darrelle Revis and Antonio Cromartie to lock down the corner positions. It would put New York in position to go after a championship in 2015.
Benefits For The Saints
First and foremost it would instantly give the Saints over $11 million in additional salary cap room. That is something to work with. Beyond that is the jump to #6 in the draft order. This would put them in prime position to make an immediate run at Brees’ potential replacement.
Marcus Mariota is expected to be available somewhere between picks 2-6. Courtesy of the Jimmy Graham deal, New Orleans now has two 1st rounders including the #31 selection from Seattle. That gives them enough ammunition to make a jump up the board to secure Mariota, widely viewed as the only other legitimate quarterback in the 2015 class besides Jameis Winston.
If the Saints are really looking towards the future then this would be a hard deal to beat.