There is a new sheriff in town -- at least monetarily.
New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees surpassed three-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady in average annual salary with this week's new five-year, $100 million contract. Brees will average $20 million per season, an NFL record.
Brady began the offseason as the highest-paid quarterback in annual salary until two guys named Brees and Peyton Manning began searching for new contracts. Brady averages $18 million per season on a four-year contract he signed in 2010. Brady also recently restructured to give the Patriots cap room.
But Brees is now in a league of his own. After a rough offseason, New Orleans agreed to make Brees the highest-paid player and quarterback per year in the NFL.
Whether Brees is a better quarterback than Brady is another debate for another day. Both are elite. But Brees will make the most money -- at least until Aaron Rodgers renegotiates with the Green Bay Packers.