Drew Brees makes NFL history, sets new record for career touchdown passes

New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees surpassed both Tom Brady and Peyton Manning to set a new NFL record for career touchdown passes.

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Drew Brees needed three touchdowns to reset the NFL’s record for career scoring passes, and he got them on Monday night against the Indianapolis Colts. It initially looked like he would have gotten it done in just a half of football, but a weak offensive pass interference penalty on wide receiver Tre’Quan Smith wiped out the would-be scoring play.

But Brees wasn’t going to let that sort of shortcoming slow him down. He came out of the halftime break roaring, and scored again — and without a shadow of a doubt — with a 5-yard throw to backup tight end Josh Hill. Let’s recap each of his touchdown throws.

The first score tied Brees with New England Patriots icon Tom Brady, who finished his game Sunday 538 career touchdown passes. Brees found superstar wide receiver Michael Thomas in the heart of the Colts defense from 15 yards out, which extended the Saints’ lead and matched Brady’s mark:

The next touchdown pass went to second-year pro Tre’Quan Smith. Brees initially gave Smith a chance from 28 yards out, but the young receiver was interfered with and unable to go up and make the catch. So Brees hit him again from 19 yards away; Smith caught it this time, and rumbled two more yards into the end zone. This scoring play saw Brees’ career total climb to 539, matching the record set by retired legend Peyton Manning.

But records are made to be broken. Nobody knows that better than Brees, who has broken so many in his storied NFL career. And with history on the line, the Saints quarterback stepped up and delivered with a five-yard strike to Hill; not do-it-all quarterback Taysom Hill, but the backup tight end. Who else could?

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