Vilma’s contract expires at season’s end and he will be a free agent by the end of February after having only a year left on his New York deal when he was traded to New Orleans in early March.

New Orleans is the only team that can negotiate with Vilma until free agency opens. But because of a stipulation in the trade, the Saints can’t sign Vilma until the start of free agency.

If the Saints did sign Vilma before free agency kicks off, the Jets would receive the Saints’ second-round pick in 2009. That would also affect the trade involving Jeremy Shockey and the Saints would have to give the Giants their first-round pick instead of the second already committed to the Giants.

Vilma made his intentions quite clear to Payton and Saints General Manager Mickey Loomis.

"I already told Mickey and already told Sean that I want to be here," Vilma said. "I told all the coaches I want to be here. They already know how I feel. Obviously, I don’t handle the money side. I actually told my agent (Mitch Frankel), I don’t even want to hear the money side of it. Hopefully my agent and Mickey will get it done so I can be here."

Despite his early pleas to remain in New Orleans, Vilma understands nothing is ever definite come contract negotiation time

"(Vilma is not interested in leaving), but you know what they say that unfortunately this is a business," Vilma said. "Even with the good relationships that you build throughout your time here, it’s a business."