Report: Graham mulling over contract offer from Saints

Published Sep. 24, 2013 5:25 p.m. ET

foxsports

New Orleans Saints tight end Jimmy Graham is proving to be Drew Brees' most reliable weapon so far this season, accounting for 23 receptions, 358 receiving yards and four touchdowns. He's already No. 6 on the Black and Gold's all-time touchdown reception leaders. Now it appears Saints management is ready to talk business, since Graham is in the final year of his rookie contract.

According to Pro Football Talk, the Saints front office has now extended a formal contract offer to Graham.

There is no word yet on what the price tag of this new suggested contract is—or what Graham's camp thinks about the offer.

Graham was drafted the same year as New England Patriots' tight ends Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez, both of whom already received long-term extensions. Gronkowski signed a five-year, $54 million deal last year.

Given Graham's production, his agent Jimmy Sexton will fight to make him the highest-paid tight end in the league.

Graham is making his case to be mentioned in the same sentence with the all-time greats at the tight position, including Tony Gonzalez, Dave Casper, John Mackey, Kellen Winslow. He'll likely be paid that way next year…by somebody.