Sean Payton Refusing to Name Starting QB Indicates Drew Brees Could Actually Play
By Andy Loughmiller
Teddy Bridgewater has done a tremendous job of holding down the fort in Drew Brees's absence. The New Orleans Saints are currently 6-1 and in position for a first round bye in the playoffs if the season were to end today.
However, the NFL season doesn't end today, and the Saints' franchise quarterback could potentially be making his return to the field as soon as this Sunday. Saints head coach Sean Payton hasn't ruled it out.
Sean Payton declined to name a starting QB. He said both QBs got a lot of work this week. He mentioned Brees was limited so I’m going to guess he’s listed as an LP today.
— Katherine Terrell (@Kat_Terrell) October 25, 2019
We are less than 48 hours away from the Saints' Week 8 matchup against the Arizona Cardinals and Payton has yet to say who will be getting the start under center.
Perhaps no news is good news in this situation. Payton refusing to name the starter for Sunday's game indicates that a Brees return isn't outside of the realm of possibility.
Payton will ultimately have the final say in this matter, but Brees believes his coach trusts him enough to make the decision himself.
How the Brees presser went:
— Jeff Duncan (@JeffDuncan_) October 23, 2019
Q: Are you going to play this week?
Brees: That’s the plan. We’ll see.
Q: What will determine the decision?
Brees: Just making sure that I can be me.
Q: And how will the decision be made?
Brees: I’ll tell Sean (Payton), and he’ll believe me.
According to Brees, he is planning on suiting up and starting against the Cardinals. Saints' fans will be thrilled if he does. Bridgewater has been great for the past five weeks, but he still doesn't compare to the future Hall of Famer.
Still, New Orleans has a bye in Week 9, so giving the veteran signal caller an extra week of rest is also on the table. If they opt to roll with Bridgewater against the Cards, Brees' next chance to take the field would be Nov. 10 against the Falcons.