While Drew Brees has been quiet about his future, those close to him believe he’ll hang up his cleats following the season. NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport relays that “everybody believes that [Brees] will retire at the end of this season” (Twitter link). The 42-year-old is “hoping for one last run through the playoffs…hoping to end his career on the podium holding a big trophy.”
While we’ve yet to hear anything definitive about the future Hall of Fame’s status going forward, the writing has been on the wall for a while. Brees inked a deal with NBC Sports last April, signaling his post-playing career. The organization also agreed to an extension with Taysom Hill this offseason, keeping their backup QB under club control through 2021. Predictably, GM Mickey Loomis recently said that Brees would be welcomed back if he wanted to continue playing beyond this season, but the executive also revealed that no final decision has been made.
The Saints got a glimpse of what a post-Brees team could look like in 2020. The veteran missed four games, with Hill going 3-1 in his stead. While Hill is better known for his versatile skill set (he finished the season with 555 yards from scrimmage and nine rushing and receiving touchdowns), he showed that he’s capable under center. The 30-year-old finished the season having completed 72.7-percent of his passes for 928 yards, four touchdowns, and two interceptions.
It sounds like the Saints are also interested in retaining the third quarterback on their roster. Rapoport reports that the organization would like to re-sign Jameis Winston, noting that the Saints “love what they’ve seen in practice.” While the team has touted Winston’s arm strength and work ethic, they’re still (predictably) wary of his tendency of interception. The former first-overall pick got into four games this season, completing seven of his 11 pass attempts for 75 yards.
“Ian Rapoport relays that…”
So, in other words, he’s coming back next year.
He’s not any more or less wrong than most reporters. I don’t think most of us expected Brees back. I’d like to see him one more year myself, but it’s been tough for him physically making these starts and taking those hits.
I think win or lose brees has 1 more season in the tank.
i have a feeling that this supposed “consensus” isnt all that much of a lock
I’d rather see Brees holding the Lombardi Trophy in Tampa Bay and then announcing his retirement…
It just seems fitting for the best of the best to go out on top like Jerome Bettis & Peyton Manning did. Especially since Jerome did it in his hometown of Detroit in Super Bowl XL. Hopefully Drew Brees will be next.
Journalism is dead.
Will you be giving the eulogy at the funeral?
i also half wonder if the promise of two or more games vs Brady helps fuel his desire to return.
It might if they were both still in their prime. The Brady vs P.Manning rivalry is the one fans will remember.
In 12 games he went 9-3, threw nearly 3000 yards, tossed 24TDs and only 6 INTs. It isn’t like he stunk up the joint.
His problem now is staying healthy and he suffered a pretty severe injury. If the Saints want to move on from him I am sure there is some team out there that would love to have 1 year of a steady Brees and can hopefully keep him upright while their new draft pick rides the bench and learns from one of the best to ever do it.
So, it will be Brees’ choice not to play next season. There will be offers.