Sean Payton, Drew Brees extensions will keep Saints in contention

The New Orleans Saints don't feel like Super Bowl contenders at this exact moment. Not after back-to-back 7-9 seasons. Not with that defense that has been so abysmal in recent years.

But coach Sean Payton isn't going anywhere. Quarterback Drew Brees isn't going anywhere. And that gives the Saints a huge advantage over so many other teams struggling to find consistency at one or both of those vital spots.

Everything else ranks a distant third.

Payton revealed Wednesday he has agreed to a new five-year contract through 2020, and a source told ESPN NFL Insider Ed Werder that Payton will get a pay increase to more than $9 million per year.

As Payton said, the contract was a bit of a "formality."…