Saints Reportedly Had the Ultimate Backup Plan if Drew Brees Had Retired
By Tyler Kemp
Saints quarterback Drew Brees is currently in the middle of some controversy following his statement and prompt apology about players protesting by kneeling during the national anthem. Brees’ comments were not taken lightly by anyone in light of the killing of George Floyd.
Notably, Brees was mulling retirement in the early stages of the offseason before he signed an extension to stay in New Orleans. Had he decided to talk away from the NFL, however, head coach Sean Payton already had a Plan B in mind, per insider Jason La Canfora.
Replace his future Hall of Famer with a different one: Tom Brady
Strange little quirk to this Drew Brees saga ... Had Brees retired, as he long opined about and strongly considered, I'm told Tom Brady had very serious interest in the Saints and vice versa. Brady was waiting and watching that closely. Would have been a very real possibility.
— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) June 4, 2020
Oh, what could have been!
Both New Orleans and Tom Brady were monitoring Brees' path to possible retirement very closely. Had it happened, both sides would have been expected to be in communication with each other in short order about joining forces. Imagine Brady playing in the Superdome and hitting Michael Thomas on the outsides while finding Alvin Kamara for checkdowns out of the backfield.
Luckily for Buccaneers fans, they do not have to imagine that reality of playing TB12 twice a year in the NFC South. That would have been enough send a shiver down the spine of the geerally unflappable Bruce Arians.
— Diesel The Hog (Freelance Comedian) (@BlessSkins) June 4, 2020
In the end, both rival teams got what they wanted. Once football really does return, Brees will be back on the field ofr another year on the Bayou, while Brady will be suiting up down in Tampa. Divisional games are going to be filled with fireworks this year in the NFC South.