Retired quarterback Drew Brees is one of the best quarterbacks in NFL history. And it appears he won’t be making a return to the gridiron.
“I better get my butt going if that’s the case,” Brees told “Football Morning In America” when asked if he would play football again.
“There is a saying that if you don’t use it, you lose it. That’s the truth, my arm is killing me because I haven’t been training to throw. I actually feel worse now than at any other point in my career. I may have one throw, one series, one drive.”
Many retired players – including Hall of Fame quarterback Brett Favre – miss football and feel the urge to return. But not Brees, who has been “preparing for the next chapter” as an analyst for NBC’s “Football Night in America” and color commentator for Notre Dame’s home games.
“I’m excited about it,” Brees said. “There is a feeling of gratitude and appreciation for all that the game gave me. I still have a chance [at NBC] to be connected with the game and stay involved, but I am excited to be able to pursue some other passions that I haven’t been able to up to this point.”
Some of those passions include skiing – “I went skiing for the first time in 25 years. Like riding a bike, it came right back” – eFoiling and mountain biking. The 42-year-old also said he has been working on his golf game and thinks he could soon be ready for an appearance on The Match.
While his Saints career is over, Brees is still keeping an eye on his old team. His replacement at quarterback is currently undecided, but the Super Bowl 44 champion thinks both Jameis Winston and Taysom Hill could see playing time.
“Both guys have such a love for the game and you can see it in the way they play,” Brees said. “[Hill] has an infectious love for the game. There is not a guy who is more respected for that and for what he brings to the team. [Winston] was such a joy to be around. He also loves the game and loves to work at it. You can tell that football consumes his thoughts. He wants to be a great player and continue to improve.
“Whatever happens, in terms of whoever is the starter, I do think there is a scenario where both of them are playing. If [Winston] is the starter I think [Hill] is seeing a lot of action at quarterback, maybe even [more] than he did with me.”
Brees, who played for the Saints and Chargers, finished his NFL career with 80,358 yards (most all-time), 571 touchdowns (second all-time), 243 interceptions, a 67.7% completion percentage and 12 Pro Bowl appearances.
The Saints will play their first game of the 2021 regular season at home against the Packers on Sunday, Sept. 12 at 4:25 p.m.