Well, it’s officially official. One of the best quarterbacks of this century is hanging up his cleats, as Drew Brees announced his retirement (with help from his kids) in an Instagram video post on Sunday.
“After 20 years as a player in the NFL and 15 years as a Saint, it is time I retire from the game of football. Each day, I poured my heart & soul into being your Quarterback. Til the very end, I exhausted myself to give everything I had to the Saints organization, my team, and the great city of New Orleans. We shared some amazing moments together, many of which are emblazoned in our hearts and minds and will forever be a part of us,” Brees wrote in the caption.
“You have molded me, strengthened me, inspired me, and given me a lifetime of memories. My goal for the last 15 years was striving to give to you everything you had given to me and more. I am only retiring from playing football, I am not retiring from New Orleans. This is not goodbye, rather a new beginning. Now my real life‘s work begins!”
This had been the expectation all along, but there was some doubt injected recently as many wondered what was taking Brees so long to make it official. A workout video posted by his trainer sparked some speculation that Brees could be planning on playing in 2021 after all. As it turns out it looks like Brees was waiting for a sentimental date, as many were quick to point out that today marks 15 years to the day since Brees first signed with the Saints back in 2006.
Brees signed with NBC last April to line up his post-playing career, and will now presumably transition to the broadcast booth like Tony Romo and many others before him. He’ll reportedly be commentating Notre Dame football games to start.
A second-round pick out of Purdue all the way back in 2001, Brees had an incredible career that ended up spanning two full decades. He spent his first five pro seasons with the Chargers, and after a devastating shoulder injury that many feared at the time would have long-term effects, signed with New Orleans in 2006. He helped turn a franchise in a pitiful state into a consistent winner, and will now be headed to Canton soon enough.
The peak of his career on the gridiron came during the 2009 season, when he led the Saints to a Super Bowl XLIV title. His name is all over the record books, as he currently has the most passing yards in NFL history among plenty of other similar accomplishments.
The 13-time Pro Bowler’s retirement now sends New Orleans into their most uncertain offseason in some time. Sean Payton has his work cut out for him, and must now choose between Taysom Hill and Jameis Winston, or bringing in an outside the box option. Payton issued a statement reflecting on Brees’ career, which you can read via this tweet from Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football.
All of us here at PFR wish Brees the best in retirement, and thank him for his many contributions to the game.
Despite the speculation, there wasn’t much doubt here. It would have been great to see Brees go out victoriously or later in the playoffs, and it would have been great for him to regain his TD record. But the injuries this year and last were pretty taxing. I’m glad I got to see him play-the biggest shame of all is that he never won an MVP despite all of his incredible accomplishments, which he 100000% deserved.
I honestly thought he officially announced his retirement like a month or two ago.
Actually I doubted it because he was posting videos of his off-season workouts.
Here’s the main question, where did that scar under left eye come from.
You mean his birthmark?
link to youtube.com
Instant Classic….
This comment makes me feel old, like I remember the birthmark when it was coming out of college.
So long Mr Brees and enjoy life after football. I doubt this is the last you hear of him in the NFL.
Lifelong Saint fan here. Not much else to say but thanks for pretty much saving that franchise. Irreplaceable.
Legendary player, See you in Canton.
Great player, even better human being.
NBC isn’t even offering Brees NFL exposure so I think he will just take a year off to heal up and then return. He has to believe he still has as much to offer as Brady when healthy.
Think he is done man, he played with torn rotator cuff, facia in foot and broken ribs. As much of a fan as I am and think he can keep going. It’s pretty clear he is done, he wants to see his kids grow up and I don’t blame him. Saints are screwed without him though, winston and Taysom won’t get it done.
You could be right but stepping away from the game isn’t always that easy. It will be hard for him to watch vets like Brady and Big Ben out there competing when he could be doing the same.
That’s awesome!!!
Good dude and a beautiful family
Why not retire now
Great career and person! Enjoy post playing life, Drew.
I’m a life long Packers fan but I can honestly say that my favorite player has always been Drew Brees. Such a great example of what a professional athlete is supposed to be. Always amazing to watch play and even more amazing to see what he’s done off the field. Just wanted to say, Thank you for everything and best of luck in your future, Drew.
To bad his only Super Bowl his coach cheated and had to take a year long unplanned vacation. Sucks to have that asterisk, thanks Sean.
By chested, you mean the bounty program? They didn’t cheat, they paid players for hits. Distasteful, but no advantages gained from that.
And that was Gregg Williams’ thing, and there was shaky evidence…
Makes you wonder why Payton took a year long unplanned vacation if he didn’t cheat. Things that make you go hmmmm.
Yeah, again, where’s the cheating? The suspension was punitive, there’s no “hmmm” involved. We all know why he got in trouble. We also know that he didn’t instigate the bounty program. That was Gregg Williams (who shouldn’t be employed ever again in my opinion). At worst you could say that Payton knew and ignored it, which I am not sure happened. We also know that bounties weren’t illegal and also aren’t something gives you a competitive advantage. It’s just really very harmful to players. In no way did it gives Brees any advantage, unlike other cheating scandals that we’ve seen.
Ndamukong Suh got suspended for roughing up other players. James Harrison got fined for it. It was wrong, but it wasn’t cheating. The NFL doesn’t want that, certainly not on a team level. There’s no mystery about it.
Now I’m angry with the NFL, they suspended Payton for no reason on his year long vacation ruining any chance for back to back Super Bowls.
I think you have one more “year long vacation” post in ya, little fella
Offering your players a financial incentive to injure players on the opposing teams isn’t cheating. It’s obviously frowned upon because it’s not good sportsmanship, so the league gave him a “vacation” because they don’t want it to be commonplace. Buddy Ryan did the same thing here with the Eagles back in the 80’s.
Moron
Brees was amazing. One of the best ever. Hope the Saints are able to sustain success with him.
I wasn’t sure what he’d do. He was still playing at a fairly high level. But he proved what he set out to prove. He was traded from the Chargers with shoulder trouble I believe. Nobody thought a QB his size could make it in the NFL and he’s a hall of famer. I wonder if the Saints cap situation played a part. No secret the Saints will not be as strong this year and maybe it’s best to walk away on top even if the team didn’t make a deep run. One of those guys you gotta just respect and be happy for
New Orleans send 3 first round picks to Jacksonville,. select Bo Callahan
HOF awaits
One of the best ever, and really did save that franchise (remember post-Katrina when the owner wanted to move the team to San Antonio?). I tip my hat to him.