Drew Brees ended his active career. The quarterback of the New Orleans Saints announced this himself via Instagram.
“After 20 years as a player in the NFL and 15 years as a Saint, it is time for me to say goodbye to football,” wrote Brees in a lengthy post. He put “his heart and soul” into his existence as a quarterback every day, Brees continued.
Brees ended his career exactly 15 years after signing his first contract in New Orleans. On March 14, 2006, the quarterback had officially switched to the franchise. Early in his career, Brees had played for the San Diego Chargers.
In New Orleans, Brees rose to become one of the best quarterbacks in NFL history. He won the Super Bowl once and set numerous NFL records. He still holds the highest number of passing yards and most successful passes in the history of the league.
In addition, the 42-year-old was voted NFL Offensive Player of the Year twice and Super Bowl MVP in 2009. Brees’ entry into the Hall of Fame should be safe.
Tom Brady complimented his longtime rival on Twitter. “Congratulations on an incredible career, my friend,” wrote Brady. “Thank you for your inspiration and your dedication, on and off the field. I’m looking forward to seeing what’s next!”
NFL: Brees’ succession is still unclear
Brees’ career end was not really a surprise. He had already lost a lot of the time last year and, due to injuries, played much weaker than at his prime.
It is currently unclear who will be Brees’ successor in New Orleans. Last season, Taysom Hill took over as a starter for the veteran. However, it is unclear whether Hill can be a long-term solution for the Saints.
A name that has recently been associated with the Saints again and again is Jameis Winston. The former number one pick signed a one-year contract in New Orleans in 2020, but only lived as a backup last season. After his contract ends, Winston is a free agent.
