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Sources: Brees mulled NFL comeback, playing for Broncos in AFC title game
Confirmed
In Short: Former Saints quarterback Drew Brees seriously considered returning to the NFL to play for the Denver Broncos, but a workout led to wrist discomfort, ending his comeback hopes.
Former offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi and offensive assistant Pete Carmichael discussed with Brees the possibility of his coming out of retirement to suit up for Denver as the team made a bid for Super Bowl LX in the AFC title game, according to ESPN.
Brees told the two assistants that he wanted to work out before making a firm decision to see how his body would respond.
When first informed, Sean Payton, Brees' longtime coach with the Saints, had no idea about the pursuit launched by Lombardi and Carmichael, according to the report.
Earlier in the season, the Indianapolis Colts signed 44-year-old Philip Rivers, who ironically replaced Brees in San Diego, after Daniel Jones suffered a season-ending Achilles injury.
In the aftermath of Bo Nix suffering a season-ending ankle injury during the final moments of the divisional round, the Denver Broncos apparently left no stone unturned in an attempt to find a suitable replacement for him for the AFC Championship.
After that workout, however, Brees reportedly experienced wrist discomfort, and the idea of one of the most decorated quarterbacks in NFL history making a jaw-dropping return dissolved.
Brees did leave some breadcrumbs about this latest flirtation with a return to the NFL, telling the 'New Heights' podcast this offseason that 'he had some conversations' but kept things pretty vague.
In the end, Stidham started, the Broncos lost 10-7 to New England, and Denver was left wondering what if.
What's confirmed
- Former offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi and offensive assistant Pete Carmichael discussed with Brees the possibility of his coming out of retirement to suit up for Denver as the team made a bid for Super Bowl LX in the AFC title game, according to ESPN.
- Brees told the two assistants that he wanted to work out before making a firm decision to see how his body would respond.
- When first informed, Sean Payton, Brees' longtime coach with the Saints, had no idea about the pursuit launched by Lombardi and Carmichael, according to the report.
- Earlier in the season, the Indianapolis Colts signed 44-year-old Philip Rivers, who ironically replaced Brees in San Diego, after Daniel Jones suffered a season-ending Achilles injury.
- In the aftermath of Bo Nix suffering a season-ending ankle injury during the final moments of the divisional round, the Denver Broncos apparently left no stone unturned in an attempt to find a suitable replacement for him for the AFC Championship.
- After that workout, however, Brees reportedly experienced wrist discomfort, and the idea of one of the most decorated quarterbacks in NFL history making a jaw-dropping return dissolved.
- Brees did leave some breadcrumbs about this latest flirtation with a return to the NFL, telling the 'New Heights' podcast this offseason that 'he had some conversations' but kept things pretty vague.
- In the end, Stidham started, the Broncos lost 10-7 to New England, and Denver was left wondering what if.
What's still developing
- When first informed, Payton thought they were referring to when New Orleans tried to bring Brees back in 2021 for a Monday night game against the Dolphins in December.
- Brees had turned 47 just two days before Nix went down with the injury, but he did speak with Lombardi and Carmichael, whom he worked with in New Orleans, and it appears as if he seriously considered the comeback.
- The two assistants wanted to take the temperature on Brees' appetite to return before broaching it with Payton, who later learned about the plot to possibly bring him back during the offseason.
- That led to Ian Book starting, but not before they approached Brees.
- The mainstream sports media goons are throwing a full-blown temper tantrum because Steve Sarkisian rushed through sideline duties after an epic comeback win over the #1 Buckeyes, but Dan is putting these whiny journalists in their place.
- Hours before the Kansas City Chiefs and Denver Broncos kicked off on "Monday Night Football", NFL insider Adam Schefter dropped a stunner... that 47-year-old Drew Brees nearly came off the couch to start for Denver in last season's AFC Championship Game against the New England Patriots.
- Realizing his body could no longer execute, Brees allegedly called off the comeback.