Saints Make Contract Offer To TE Jimmy Graham, Talks Likely To Linger

According to a report from Pro Football Talk, the New Orleans Saints have made a contract offer to New Orleans Saints All-Pro tight end Jimmy Graham.

Graham, who leads the Saints through 3 games with 23 receptions for 358 receiving yards and 4 touchdowns, is currently playing in the final year of his rookie contract.

The report is not clear on when the offer was made, and if it's a new offer. The Saints likely contacted Graham's agent Jimmy Sexton last offseason to initiate talks. Today's report doesn't much specificity, only saying that an offer is on the table.

Unfortunately, Saints fans will likely deal with another offseason (in 2014) of an All-Pro player dealing with lingering contract talks. The franchise did the same with All-Pro quarterback Drew Brees in 2012, slapping Brees with the franchise tag to delay the signing even longer. Brees eventually signed a contract that made him the highest paid player in NFL history at the time.

While Graham likely won't sign a deal as loaded as Brees', expect him to go through the same process as Brees, only to eventually sign for the biggest contract for a tight end in NFL history.