Drew Brees' Saints Contract Expected to Be Done 'Sooner Rather Than Later'

New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton believes the team should have no problem signing quarterback Drew Brees to a contract extension before free agency begins March 14.

According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, Payton said he expects a deal to be agreed upon "sooner rather than later."

Schefter added Saints brass and Brees' agent, Tom Condon, met Thursday evening to initiate talks.

"I don't see that being a long, drawn-out process, and I think we've been here before," Payton told reporters Thursday at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis. "I think that's going to get done fairly smoothly."

Brees, for his part, has said he fully intends on returning to the Big Easy.

"It's the same way I felt two days ago. It's the same way I felt 12 years ago. I'll be here as long as they'll have me," he said in January, per the Associated Press' Brett Martel.

The 39-year-old had a similar sentiment to Payton regarding how talks will progress.

"I don't plan on this being something that goes until March 14th," he said.

In 2017, Brees led the Saints to an NFC South title as he completed a league-leading 72 percent of his passes for 4,334 yards, 23 touchdowns and eight interceptions.