It's Not Crazy to Think the Saints Should Move on From Drew Brees and Find New QB of the Future
Imagining an NFL without Drew Brees in a Saints uniform is like eating a PB & J with no PB, it just doesn't make sense. Yet we are living in a world where Tom Brady may soon be wearing a lightning bolt on the side of his helmet and Kirk Cousins is winning primetime playoff games on the road.
If these things can happen, then Brees could very well leave New Orleans as well. As the NFL's all-time passing touchdowns leader enters free agency, the team will have a very difficult decision to make. The soon-to-be 41-year-old Brees has been uncharacteristically ineffective in his last two playoff games, with the Saints having lost due to turnover-laden performances from their future Hall of Fame signal-caller.
"I think this is a wrap on the Saints era. ... Drew Brees looked old yesterday. Where was Sean Payton? Every time we talk about top 5 coaches, Sean Payton is included. You've had Drew Brees your whole time there, 5 times you had a losing record." — @getnickwright pic.twitter.com/iQforw4RYE
— First Things First (@FTFonFS1) January 6, 2020
Despite Brees' statistical accolades, the Saints have won just one Super Bowl with him under center, while he has managed an all-time postseason record of just 8-8. With his team's latest heartbreaking playoff exit, it may very well be time for the Brees era in New Orleans to come to an end.
How the Saints approach 2020 with no quarterbacks currently under contract:https://t.co/22UhF0mZFg
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 8, 2020
With a capable bridge starter in 27-year-old pending free agent Teddy Bridgewater (5-0 record as the starter while Brees was injured this season), New Orleans could just re-sign the former Louisville product and build around him. Not to mention, Taysom Hill is an intriguing option given the evolution of NFL offenses in recent years.
If not, the Saints also have the option to use their No. 24 selection in this year's NFL Draft to bring in a new franchise QB. In a draft class featuring a capable stable of quarterbacks including the oft-injured Tua Tagovailoa, who could very well slip come April depending on how pre-draft workouts go, New Orleans has the option to start over at the position should they choose.
While Brees has been an all-time great during his time as a Saint, it could be in the New Orleans' best interest to cut ties with him sooner rather than later.