Ed Werder of ESPN reports that the Saints and TE Jimmy Graham will resume negotiations regarding long-term contract this week.
Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk reported late last week that the Saints have not reduced or pulled their previous offer Graham, even after they won the grievance hearing earlier this week.
According to Florio, the Saints offer would pay him $9.5 million per year and still make him the the highest-paid tight end in NFL history.
The two sides will have until July 15 to negotiate a new contract or Graham will play out the 2014 season under his franchise tender worth $7.035 million. Had Graham won the grievance hearing, his franchise tender could have been worth as much as $12 million.
A recent report mentioned that “a good half dozen teams” were prepared to make a run at signing Graham to an offer sheet, despite the fact that it would cost them two first-round picks. However, there has been no buzz regarding this idea in recent days.
Graham managed to put together a very good season, despite the fact that he was hampered by a foot injury for a good portion of the year. He totaled 86 receptions for 1,215 yards receiving and 16 touchdowns and was rated by Pro Football Focus as the No. 1 tight end in the league.
We’ll have more regarding Graham and a potential long-term extension throughout the week.
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