Drew Brees Is Being 'Punished' by the Saints? We Should All Be So Lucky

Jim Trotter over at Sports Illustrated has gone to bat for Drew Brees in the wake of some less-than-flattering remarks that were made about the quarterback after what seemed like preferential treatment by the players' union.

See, Brees was slapped with an exclusive franchise tag by the New Orleans Saints earlier this offseason, and the union seems to think that the Saints are punishing their superstar quarterback by not signing him to a long-term deal.

The reasoning behind the alleged punishment is due to him being one of the vocal leaders on the players' side during last summer's lockout.

Last week, the union sent the league a letter asking for an investigation into the matter. That didn't seem to sit well with some of the other unsigned free agents that were also franchised.

To quote Trotter:

"

Some of the players or their agents privately told Sports Xchange they believe Brees is receiving "favored nation" treatment because he strongly supported the union during last season's lockout. Sounds plausible except for one thing:

One has nothing to do with the other.

The union has stepped forward on Brees' behalf because of concerns that Brees is being discriminated against for supporting the Players Association and suing the league during last season's lockout.

"

Trotter, and the union, might do well to apply the "one has nothing to do with the other" line to the whole affair. 

Let me get this straight. Drew Brees is being "punished"—by reportedly being offered a contract that would make him the highest-paid player in NFL history?

Give me a break.

Look, this is a contract negotiation—no more, no less. Everything else is just noise. Brees has said he won't sit out the season (per ESPN's Outside the Lines). The Saints are totally screwed without him.

A deal will get done.