The New Orleans Saints and Jimmy Graham have opened up contract negotiations in an attempt to get the Pro Bowl tight end locked up for many years to come. Saints quarterback Drew Brees is pulling for Graham and expects the two sides to agree on a deal before the July 15 deadline.

Brees had a sit down interview in late June about Graham’s status and believes that the Saints will do the right thing by him and they can put this whole offseason behind them.

"I want what's best for him. I want what's best for the team. Certainly there's a way that everybody can be happy coming out of this deal. But it is part of the process, and I went through something similar to this two years ago, so I get it."

“I'm very confident it will get resolved, he'll get a long-term deal, the one that he deserves, and we'll be able to move forward.’'

Brees went through a similar situation with the Saints in 2012 which ended in the long-term contract that Brees is currently playing under. The Saints have until July 15 to sign their franchise player to a deal and if they do not agree, teams can give the Saints two first-round picks in exchange for Grahams’ services.

ESPN’s Ed Werder believes that teams like the Green Bay Packers, Atlanta Falcons, New England Patriots and Indianapolis Colts will at least inquire about Graham if he doesn't sign a long-term contract.

Werder believes that Packers general manager Ted Thompson will take the longest look at Graham, but he would be have to sacrifice resigning Jordy Nelson or Randall Cobb in the future.

[ESPN]

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