Frustration has built with Saints QB Drew Brees, according to sources with knowledge of the situation, and the team will use its franchise tag on him, short of a rapidly developing long-term deal.

The NFL’s franchise-tag deadline is March 5, and free agency begins the following week.

As recently as Feb. 23, Brees told The Times-Picayune that he “still was very optimistic” a long-term deal would be reached, but the former Super Bowl MVP is surprised the situation has taken this long.

The falling price of franchise tags — the price for a quarterback is $14.4 million — combined with Peyton Manning‘s contract and injury situation, however, complicate the top-end quarterback market some, and the sides have been unable to come to agreement on a multiyear deal.

Follow Jason La Canfora on Twitter @JasonLaCanfora.

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