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Report: Brees to return after $10.85M of salary guaranteed

Sean Gardner / Getty Images Sport / Getty

New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees is slated to return for the 2016 season, after $10.85 million of his $20 million salary was guaranteed ahead of Wednesday's deadline, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.

Due to the structure of his contract, the amount was set to become guaranteed after the third day following the Super Bowl. The Saints' star is slated to earn $19.7 million for the upcoming season, and is owed a $7.4-million signing bonus.

Brees led the NFL in passing for the second consecutive year with 4,870 yards, throwing 32 touchdowns against 11 interceptions.

The Saints didn't reach a contract extension with Brees, and he'll become an unrestricted free agent in 2017 if a new deal isn't completed in time. It's likely both parties will try to strike a deal before free agency begins on March 15, however, as a means of lowering his salary cap number.

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