Brees is "extremely frustrated" by the "lack of communication" with his new contract. (Getty Images)

The 2012 NFL season is still a long ways away, but the deadline for New Orleans to sign quarterback Drew Brees to a new contract (July 16) is inching closer. And the Saints quarterback clearly isn't thrilled about the lack of progress. He said on Wednesday night that he is "extremely frustrated" that he doesn't have a new deal.

Brees appeared on WWL 105.3 radio in New Orleans and, via our Saints Rapid Reporter Larry Holder, lamented the "lack of communication" from the Saints during contract talks.

"What's frustrating on my end is the lack of communication," Brees said. "I know that we've reached out on quite a few occasions, and at times, I know I've been frustrated by the lack of response.

"I don't think the negotiation should have been this difficult."

Brees did acknowledge that negotiations of this nature are indeed "complex," but he believes that many of the Saints' offseason issues are causing problems with getting him a new contract.

Per Holder, Brees believes the Saints bounty scandal has caused delays in the negotiations. He also believes that Saints owner Tom Benson may have misled fans with his statement that a new deal for Brees would be coming "shortly."

That likely explains why, shortly following Benson's comments, a report circulated that the Saints and Brees agent Tom Condon had "made little progress" on a new deal.

This isn't the first time Brees has expressed concern during the offseason either; when Brees initially received the franchise tag from the Saints, he made it clear that he wouldn't be happy at all about playing 2012 under a one-year contract.

With all the ridiculous and embarrassing things that have happened to the Saints this offseason, not getting a deal done with Brees could arguably cause the most damage on the football field itself. Brees knows that, and it's exactly why he's trying to push the leverage against the Saints before the time to sign him expires.

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