Drew Brees: "I want Jimmy Graham back"

New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees has insisted that he wants tight end Jimmy Graham back at the club next season.

The 27-year-old's contract runs out at the end of the current season, and the Saints are yet to come to an agreement with Graham over a new deal.

New Orleans have admitted that they could use the franchise tag on the tight end, but Graham's camp believes that he should be designated as a wide receiver rather than a tight end, which earns him more money for the one-year deal.

"I want Jimmy back!" Brees told the Dan Patrick Show. "I want Jimmy Graham back! It doesn't really matter what I say. That has no bearing on the rules of how he's designated."

Graham had an excellent year for the Saints catching 86 passes for 1,215 yards along with 16 touchdowns.