WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W.Va. — Drew Brees was patient and non-confrontational while fielding repeated questions about why he and the New Orleans Saints weren’t able to negotiate a contract extension before Thursday’s opening training camp practice.

If anything, the star quarterback became testier when the subject of rookie safety’s interception came up.

Standing nearby, one of Brees’ oldest teammates, right tackle Zach Strief, hardly seemed surprised.

“Look, he’s a highly competitive and highly professional guy that is way more worried about the fact he threw an interception in seven-on-seven than he is about a contract right now,” Strief said. “That’s just how Drew is. ... Everything he does is like, unbelievably focused. He’s like a weirdo.”

And that, Strief said, is why the Saints shouldn’t worry about Brees’ ability to compartmentalize the uncertainty that arises for any pro athlete in the last year of a contract.

Around the NFL and in New Orleans in particular, many seem puzzled by the fact that the Saints haven’t been able to nail down a new, long-term deal with their franchise quarterback, who has passed for 48,555 yards and 348 touchdowns in 10 seasons with the club — not to mention MVP honors in New Orleans’ only Super Bowl triumph.

After all that, and the fact that the 37-year-old Brees has repeatedly said he wants to end his career in New Orleans, shouldn’t an extension have been easier to hammer out?

“I would hope so, but I also know that sometimes these take time,” Brees said, stressing that “nothing is adversarial.”

“I’ve got a great relationship with (general manager) Mickey Loomis and have for my entire time here,” Brees continued. “There’s a process to this and it’s not an exact science.”

Brees has stated that once the regular season begins, he intends to cut off negotiations because he doesn’t want his contract status to distract him from preparing for a game.

He took the same approach in 2011, which was not without risk because an injury could have undermined his value going forward. Instead, Brees passed for what was then an NFL record 5,476 yards to go with 46 touchdowns, which ultimately earned him a five-year, $100 million contract that, in 2012, was the richest deal in the NFL.

“My mindset is the same whether I’ve got a one-year deal or a five-year deal,” Brees said. “’Each and every week, I’ve got to go out and I’ve got to prove it. I’ve got to prove that I give us the best chance to win. I’ve got to prove that I’m a leader on the team that’s going to get the best out of everybody around me and myself.”

Coach Sean Payton dismissed the notion that Brees’ contract status would overshadow the club’s preparations.

“That is something that cannot be the focus of what we’re doing,” Payton said. “That’s the one element that I’m sure will take care of itself.”

Added Loomis, “Lots of players play into the last year of their contract. It happened the last time with us. It’s not our preference, but it happens. Nothing unusual here.”

Loomis added that Brees is paid like an elite QB and the Saints “expect to do that.”

Strief said he “cannot fathom” Brees finishing his career elsewhere, but understands that when a contract is of the magnitude an elite player like Brees commands, the details can take longer to iron out.

Benjamin returns

SPARTANBURG, S.C. — Kelvin Benjamin made an impressive return to the football field Thursday night as the defending NFC champion Carolina Panthers opened training camp.

In his first practice since tearing the ACL in his left knee last August, Benjamin made four tough catches, reminding the more than 22,445 fans at Gibbs Stadium of just how valuable the 6-foot-5, 245-pound wide receiver is to the Panthers offense.

Coach Ron Rivera admitted he was impressed.

“I don’t want to say he was in top form, but he was in pretty doggone good form,” Rivera said.

Benjamin had 73 receptions for 1,008 yards and nine touchdowns as a rookie in 2014, but tore his ACL last August at training camp and missed the team’s run to the Super Bowl.

Fitzpatrick’s reports, but can’t get into facility

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — Ryan Fitzpatrick showed up at the New York Jets’ practice facility with just a few minutes to spare.

The quarterback had just agreed to a one-year, $12 million deal Wednesday night, ending a contract stalemate that dragged on for months.

Finally getting the OK from his agent, Fitzpatrick wanted to rejoin his teammates in time for their 7 p.m. team meeting with coach Todd Bowles to kick off training camp.

One problem: His security code to the building no longer worked.

So, he had to text wide receiver Brandon Marshall to borrow his code to get inside the building. Then, Fitzpatrick hurried into the auditorium to the surprise of some Jets players and coaches.

“I might have been 3 seconds late, which is a minute late, I guess,” Fitzpatrick said after the Jets’ first camp practice Thursday, “but I wasn’t technically under contract, so I don’t think they can fine me.”

Fitzpatrick quickly apologized to Bowles for his ever-so slightly tardy arrival.

“He said, ‘I’m sorry I’m late, Coach,” Bowles said before smiling. “I told him, ‘That’s a $12 million fine.”