Brees officially announced his retirement from the NFL on Sunday, Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football reports.
Analysis: The writing for Brees hanging up his cleats has been on the wall all offseason, and it's fitting that his official announcement comes 15 years to the date that he initially signed with the Saints. In his career, Brees has earned 13 selections to the Pro Bowl and led the league in passing yards on seven separate occasions, not to mention earning a championship for New Orleans in Super Bowl XLIV (plus game MVP honors). It's all but a given that Brees' next stop will be the NLF Hall of Fame, but the Saints' quarterback position looks more uncertain. The team still has Taysom Hill (knee) under contract, while Jameis Winston is currently scheduled for free agency.
Mar 14, 2021 2:14 PM EST
The Saints have renegotiated Brees' contract to open up $24 million in 2021, Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football reports.
Analysis: This move allows the Saints to create cap space now, while waiting until June 2 to officially place Brees on the retired list should he ultimately decide to do so. Basically, they can split his bonus prorations in 2021 and 2022 instead of carrying the entire cap hit at once. Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports that his contract is now down to base salary. Nothing has officially been announced about Brees' future, but this move is seemingly another signal towards retirement.
Feb 5, 2021 7:09 PM EST
Coach Sean Payton told Will Brinson of CBS' Pick Six Podcast that he expects Brees to make an announcement within the next couple weeks.
Analysis: Payton likely is referring to a retirement announcement, though it's also possible Brees could surprise us and come back for another season. The 42-year-old QB completed at least 70 percent of his passes for a fifth straight season in 2020, but the Saints once again came up short in the playoffs -- a recurring theme throughout the second half of Brees' career. Payton has been clear about his desire to re-sign Jameis Winston, so it sounds like the Saints' coach expects Brees to retire.
Feb 3, 2021 8:23 AM EST
Brees intends to take his time before deciding whether to return in 2021 or hang up his cleats, Mike Triplett of ESPN reports.
Analysis: Brees, who turned 42 just two days before Sunday's 30-20 loss to the Buccaneers in the NFC divisional round, hasn't yet officially announced a decision about his future in the NFL, but it's been widely speculated that he'll choose to end his storied career this offseason. Such rumblings have only grown louder after Brees' rough three-interception showing against Tampa Bay, a performance which cemented the fact that the aging veteran's arm strength and mobility have noticeably diminished, even if his processing speed remains acute as ever. If the future Hall of Famer indeed decides to call it a career, Taysom Hill and Jameis Winston could end up competing for the starting job, though only Hill is currently under contract with the Saints for 2021.
Jan 18, 2021 9:53 AM EST
Brees completed 19 of 34 pass attempts for 134 yards, a touchdowns and three interceptions in Sunday's NFC divisional round loss to Tampa Bay.
Analysis: Brees was unable to push the ball downfield (3.9 yards per attempt) -- as has been the case all season -- but he had the Saints in position to advance to the next round until he threw his third interception in the fourth quarter that ultimately sealed his team's fate. Tampa Bay's defense came at the future Hall of Famer as advertised, applying pressure with extra rushers and forcing the immobile veteran to get rid of the ball quickly and, at times, inaccurately. The 42-year-old was unable to connect with top wideout Michael Thomas for the first time in a game in which both players played all four quarters during their five years together. Lots of credit for Brees' rough outing should be given to the Buccaneers' defense and defensive coordinator Todd Bowles, but the aging quarterback's untimely turnovers put Tampa's offense in very favorable field position on multiple occasions. Rumblings of Brees' potential retirement grew louder after his disappointing play in the season-ending loss, but he remained mum on the subject after the game. If the living legend should return for the 2021 season, fantasy managers shouldn't let the name on the back of his jersey fool them into thinking he can turn back the clock in terms of production. Brees doesn't possess the arm strength, pocket mobility or deep accuracy he once had in his prime, so expectations should be held in check if he decides to give it another go.
Jan 17, 2021 9:30 PM EST
Brees completed 28 of 39 pass attempts for 265 yards and two touchdowns in the Saints' 21-9 win over the Bears on Sunday.
Analysis: He also added three carries for two yards. The veteran signal-caller played a highly-conservative game, dinking and dunking all afternoon while delivering touchdown strikes of 11 yards to Michael Thomas and six yards to Latavius Murray. Brees will look to lead his team on a deep playoff run in what is believed to be his final season, and the Saints will host the Buccaneers in the NFC divisional round next week. In two regular-season wins against Tampa Bay, Brees provided 382 passing yards, six passing touchdowns, and no picks.
Jan 10, 2021 5:34 PM EST
Brees completed 22 of 32 pass attempts for 201 yards and three touchdowns during Sunday's 33-7 win over the Panthers.
Analysis: Brees averaged a modest 6.3 yards per attempt but made up for it by completing 69 percent of his passes and notching three TDs for the fourth time this season. The veteran missed four games and had another cut short due to injury in addition to operating without Michael Thomas for most of the campaign, but he still finishes with an impressive 24:6 TD:INT to go along with 2,942 yards. Brees should have all his weapons available for the upcoming Wild Card matchup with the Bears and will look to make another deep run in what would be the last postseason of his career.
Jan 3, 2021 7:00 PM EST
Brees completed 19 of 26 passes for 311 yards with no touchdowns and two interceptions in the Saints' 52-33 win over the Vikings on Friday. He also netted minus-3 yards on three rushes.
Analysis: The future Hall of Famer's TD:INT was far from pretty, but the good news was Brees was considerably sharper from an efficiency standpoint than in his return from injured reserve against the Chiefs in Week 14. The 41-year-old averaged a robust 12.0 yards per attempt despite operating without both Michael Thomas and Tre'Quan Smith, who are both on injured reserve with ankle injuries. Brees also crossed the 300-yard threshold for only the second time this season, and he'll have on more chance to knock off any rust and get closer to full health before the postseason when the Saints tangle with the Panthers in a Week 17 road matchup.
Dec 25, 2020 4:59 PM EST
Brees completed 15 of 34 passes for 234 yards and three touchdowns with one interception in Sunday's 32-29 loss to Kansas City.
Analysis: Returning to the lineup after a four-game absence, Brees looked rusty early and failed to complete his first five passes, but he looked better in the second half and connected with Latavius Murray, Alvin Kamara and Lil'Jordan Humphrey for TDs as he kept New Orleans in the game against the defending champs. Brees and the Saints will take another shot at locking up the NFC South title in Week 16's clash with a Vikings squad on the verge of elimination from the playoff race.
Dec 20, 2020 7:45 PM EST
Brees (ribs) was activated off injured reserve and will start Sunday against the Chiefs.
Analysis: This was a no-brainer considering coach Sean Payton confirmed Friday Drew Brees would be starting in Week 15 against the Chiefs. The veteran quarterback had missed the last four games after suffering a punctured lung to go along with 11 rib fractures, but he'll return to the lineup with the Saints still in a prime spot to compete for the No. 1 overall seed in the NFC. Taysom Hill will slide back to his multi-dimensional role within the offense.
Dec 19, 2020 1:35 PM EST
Coach Sean Payton confirmed Friday that he plans for Brees (ribs) to start Sunday's game against the Chiefs.
Analysis: Payton sounded far less optimistic earlier this week, saying Wednesday that the 41-year-old QB had a "a ways to go" before he could be activated from injured reserve. The stint on IR means Brees won't be listed on the Friday injury report, but his return to the starting lineup will essentially be locked in once the Saints place him back on their active roster Friday or Saturday.
Dec 18, 2020 12:25 PM EST
Brees (ribs) will be activated off injured reserve to start Sunday's game against the Chiefs, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Analysis: The 41-year-old was designated to return from injured reserve earlier this week, and he's apparently shown enough at practice to convince the Saints he's ready to go for this weekend. Coach Sean Payton said Wednesday the veteran still has "a ways to go" before being activated, but it appears Brees will retake the reins to the offense from Taysom Hill after sitting out the past four games.
Dec 18, 2020 6:45 AM EST
The Saints have designated Brees (ribs) to return from injured reserve, Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football reports.
Analysis: During Monday's throwing session, Brees experienced pain and didn't have his full range of motion. Slated for another such session Wednesday, he must have done well enough for the Saints to open his 21-day window to practice with the aim to be activated from IR. While there's a chance the Saints will make such a move as early as this weekend, coach Sean Payton pumped the brakes on those thoughts. "We haven't ruled anything just because we don't have to," Payton told Mike Triplett of ESPN.com. "He's got a ways to go still and he's someone we're not gonna just hurry back and just put him in the game." If Brees is unable to go Sunday against the Chiefs, Taysom Hill again will be under center for the Saints.
Dec 16, 2020 1:35 PM EST
Brees (ribs) is expected to throw a football early Wednesday before the Saints determine whether he's fit to join the team for practice later in the day, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
Analysis: The Saints initially targeted the Week 15 matchup with the Chiefs for Brees' return from the lineup after the quarterback suffered a punctured lung and 11 rib fractures in a Nov. 15 game against the 49ers, but to this point, the 41-year-old hasn't progressed as quickly in his recovery as hoped. According to Rapoport, Brees experienced pain and lacked full range of motion during his most recent throwing session Monday, so he'll likely need to show improvement in both areas Wednesday before his integration into practice is seriously considered. If Brees isn't designated to return from injured reserve later Wednesday, it would be a strong early sign that the Saints aren't counting on him playing this weekend versus Kansas City, which would clear the way for Taysom Hill to make a fifth straight start.
Dec 16, 2020 7:59 AM EST
There's still no timetable for the return to action of Brees (ribs/lung), Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Analysis: Per the report, the Saints aren't in a rush to put Brees -- who's bouncing back from 11 fractured ribs and punctured lung -- back on the field and into their starting lineup. In his continued absence, Taysom Hill will handle the team's QB duties Sunday against the Eagles and quite possibly next weekend against Kansas City.
Dec 13, 2020 6:27 AM EST
Brees (ribs) is expected to remain sidelined in Week 14 while Taysom Hill picks up another start, Jeff Duncan of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: While Brees continues to rehab his injury, Hill has taken the reins and led the Saints to a 3-0 start, making a good case for the organization to consider him as the future franchise quarterback. If this is truly the sentiment among New Orleans brass, it wouldn't be too shocking to see Brees sidelined even further, especially if Hill can improve to 4-0 in Week 14. Even if Hill had underperformed, it's seemingly unlikely that Brees would be ready physically for a Week 14 return. Though the Saints aren't required to submit an official practice report for an IR player like Brees, it was reported Wednesday that his participation was limited, at best. While a return Week 15 against Kansas City looks like a possibility, it's far from a certainty.
Dec 10, 2020 6:33 AM EST
Though Brees is progressing well as he bounces back from a lung puncture and fractured ribs, the QB "won't practice much, if at all" Wednesday, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.
Analysis: Brees is eligible to come off IR this week and while it's possible that he increases his on-field activities as the week rolls along, Rapoport suggests that "a more realistic target" for the signal-caller to return to game action is Week 15. In the event that Brees isn't activated in advance of Sunday's game against the Eagles, Taysom Hill would be in line for another start at QB for the Saints this weekend.
Dec 9, 2020 8:13 AM EST
Brees (ribs) has progressed quicker than expected and could be ready to return from injured reserve ahead of the Saints' Week 14 game in Philadelphia on Dec. 13, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Analysis: Brees will miss his third straight game Sunday in Atlanta after suffering 11 fractured ribs and a collapsed lung in a Nov. 15 win over the 49ers, but he took a step forward this week, when he was spotted throwing on the side during practice. The Saints will have to designate Brees to return from IR before he's eligible to take part in practices with the main group, but he appears poised to get on the field in some capacity when the team resumes working out Wednesday. Assuming that's the case, the Saints will likely assess Brees' condition over their three Week 14 practice sessions before deciding whether he's fit to start against Philadelphia, or if Taysom Hill will be under center for another contest.
Dec 6, 2020 6:31 AM EST
Brees, who's dealing with rib fractures, as well as a puncture in his lung and a shoulder issue, is facing a "realistic return date" of Week 15, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.
Analysis: Per the report, the goal is to give the QB enough time to fully heal up from all of his injuries, and a Week 15 return would allow Brees to helm the Saints' late-season run. In his absence, Taysom Hill (this week's projected starter) and Jameis Winston will handle the team's signal-calling duties.
Nov 22, 2020 7:31 AM EST
Brees underwent X-rays and CAT scans this week that revealed 11 confirmed rib fractures, Ed Werder of ESPN reports.
Analysis: The 41-year-old's initial diagnosis at the start of the week showed five fractures and a collapsed lung, but the damage to his ribcage is apparently more extensive than initially reported. Per Werder, he's still progressing well in his recovery, especially in regards to lung function. Brees was placed on injured reserve and will be sidelined for at least the next three games, though Werder also reports the veteran quarterback expects to return when first eligible Week 14. Taysom Hill is starting under center for the Saints against the Falcons on Sunday.
Nov 21, 2020 6:53 PM EST
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