METAIRIE - New Orleans Saints general manager Mickey Loomis says he will retain all of his usual duties with the football team in 2016 and that Drew Brees will be back next season whether the star quarterback's contract changes or not.

Loomis, who held an informal gathering with reporters on Thursday, says there's a misperception that his oversight role with the New Orleans' NBA team, the Pelicans, is more extensive than it really is and has spread him too thin. He says Pelicans general manager Dell Demps and coach Alvin Gentry handle virtually all day-to-day operations with the basketball team.

Loomis also says he's confident the Saints will figure out whether they need to change Brees' contract, which expires after next season and, if unaltered, would count about $30 million against the club's salary cap in 2016.