New Orleans Saints owner Tom Benson said Friday that the team and quarterback Drew Brees are "close" in negotiating the franchised player's contract status, though a knowledgeable source later gave NFL.com's Steve Wyche a different account of the situation.
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Benson was asked about Brees at a press conference announcing that he will become the next owner of the NBA's New Orleans Hornets.
"I talked to Drew Brees this morning personally and told him what was going on... " Benson said. "He's due in next week and we (are) close. You know how those things work. It just takes a little more time, a little patience... We haven't forgotten about him."
However, the source told Wyche that there has been no movement in the negotiations.
NFL Network insider Jason La Canfora reported Friday that Brees is likely to miss the beginning of offseason workouts Monday because of his unsettled contract situation.
The team placed its franchise tag on Brees earlier this year and is working on a long-term extension, though those talks have dragged on.