The Facts: Sean Payton cannot envision the Saints taking the field next season without Brees, who could opt for free agency this winter now that he's played out his six-year contract. "I don't even know if stunned would be a strong enough word," Payton said Tuesday, referring to what his reaction would be if Brees left. "I don't see that happening."

Diehards Line:Brees has thrown for more yards than any NFL QB since joining the Saints in 2006 and passed for an NFL record 5,476 yards this season. Brees has said he expected an extension with New Orleans to eventually be completed. The QB likely will command a salary in the range of $18 million per year, which would be commensurate to the level of pay for New England's Tom Brady and Indianapolis' Peyton Manning. That said, Payton acknowledged free agency will be challenging because other key players from the Saints' record-setting offense have expiring contracts, including Pro Bowl GCarl Nicks and WRs Marques Colston and Robert Meachem. The Saints gained an NFL record 7,474 offensive yards this season, easily eclipsing St. Louis' mark of 7,075, which had stood since 2000. But Brees is clearly the key cog in the machine.