Jimmy Graham, Saints Close to Finalizing Long-Term Deal

Jimmy Graham and the Saints are close to finalizing a long-term deal prior to the July 15th 4:00pm EST deadline, per Adam Schefter. The deal would make Graham the highest-paid tight end in NFL history.

Saints and Jimmy Graham closing in on long-term deal to make him highest-paid TE in NFL history. Now optimism deal done by Tues deadline.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) July 14, 2014

Of course. Because both sides have only had 3 months to hammer out a long-term contract. Why wouldn't they wait until the final minutes?

This news comes just after learning that Graham had decided to appeal his tight end franchise tag ruling.

Hold onto your hats, Saints fans, things are starting to get exciting. Tick, tick, tick...