Brees expects to remain with Saints with free agency looming

Drew Brees is now an unrestricted free agent, but that doesn't necessarily mean he will be looking to go elsewhere in 2018.

Shortly after the New Orleans Saints' loss to the Minnesota Vikings in Sunday's NFC Divisional Playoff game, the 39-year-old quarterback answered questions about whether he expects to remain with the Saints moving forward with a brief, yet very clear answer.

"I do," Brees said, according to Mike Triplett of ESPN.

The future Hall of Fame gunslinger compounded his statement by expressing optimism for what lies ahead for the team despite the devastating nature of its most recent defeat.

"I mean, I'm more toward the end of my career than the beginning, I know that. That's all I divulge (about how long I plan on playing). But the season ends, and this one will sting, but I think you look back at the things we accomplished and some of the memories that were made and the relationships that were built and the way this team came together. It really leaves me excited for the future of Saints football."

Brees also tweeted a message to Saints fans, providing further evidence that he doesn't plan on going anywhere.

Should Brees return to the gridiron, with the Saints or elsewhere, he will be on the cusp of attaining a pair of monumental accolades. Brees currently needs 1,495 passing yards to surpass Peyton Manning for the most in NFL history, and just 78 pass completions to surpass Brett Favre for most all-time in that category.