BREAKING NEWS: New Orleans Saints and Drew Brees Land on $100 Million Deal

Could it be true?  ESPN is reporting that the New Orleans Saints and head quarterback Drew Brees have finally shaken hands on a record-breaking salary agreement.

According to the reports, which quotes sources from the league, players association and the team, Brees agreed to a 5-year, $100 million contract that will guarantee Brees a record-breaking $40 million in the first year alone and will guarantee him $60 million overall.

ABC and the Associated Press are also confirming the story. This deal is now the largest in NFL history, breaking Peyton Manning's $96 million deal with Denver earlier this year.

Brees will average a record $20 million annually -- Peyton Manning's five-year deal with the Denver Broncos averages $19.2 million -- and is also in line for $60 million in guaranteed money, reportedly to be paid out through the 2014 season. The guarantee matches what Detroit Lions WR Calvin Johnson hauled in earlier this offseason when he signed an eight-year, $132 million contract.

--SOURCE:  USA Today

Brees himself confirmed the deal on Twitter this afternoon: