Report: New Orleans Saints, Drew Brees roughly $5 million a year apart on new deal

While contract talks between the New Orleans Saints and Drew Brees continue, the two sides are roughly $5 million a year apart on a new deal, according to a Yahoo! Sports report.

Brees will receive the franchise tag Monday if a long-term deal has not been reached, according to multiple reports.

The Saints also have other free agents to worry about, most notably wide receiver Marques Colston and guard Carl Nicks. Both players would certainly draw plenty of interest if they hit the open market.

The Saints have been busy trying to clear more room under the salary cap over the past few days, including a restructured deal for defensive end Will Smith. Yahoo! Sports speculates that linebacker Jonathan Vilma and defensive tackle Sedrick Ellis could also be released to free up approximately $11 million.