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New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees has a big decision ahead of him: whether it’s time to bow out, and retire from the NFL on his own terms. His contract expires in March, and he’ll have the option to re-sign with New Orleans, consider new offers, or simply enter retirement.
Brees, 41, leaving the game wouldn’t really be a huge shock — he’s played professionally for 19 seasons, having devoted his life to football. He’s got a wife and four children who would love to spend more time with him. And he won’t be lacking for new career paths once he’s thrown his last pass. He’s recently managed his contract with the Saints on a year-to-year basis, taking time to decompress and deliberate after each season.
But Saints general manager Mickey Loomis wants it known that he and his team will welcome Brees back as long as he wants to play in New Orleans.
“Yeah,” Loomis replied when asked if the Saints wanted another year with the Hall of Fame-bound quarterback. “I don’t think it’s any different than it’s been for the last few years. I don’t view it any different than I did a year ago or the year before that or the year before that, regardless of whether he has a contract or not. He’s a good player. He’s been a good player. He continues to be a good player.”
Still, Loomis acknowledged that the Saints must consider more factors than Brees’ personal success and the records he’s broken. He also pointed out that it’s important not to get bogged down in a string of recent, disappointing playoffs exits: “I think that any team who makes the playoffs is a success. That’s a successful season. Yet, we all have goals and aspirations more than just making the playoffs. And you really do if you’ve made the playoffs a number of years.”
The Saints have won 26 of their last 32 regular season games, posting back-to-back 13-win seasons for the first time in franchise history. And they’ve largely done that with Brees commanding the offense. Unless Brees decides to retire this offseason or seriously regresses next year, it’s tough to imagine anyone else starting at quarterback in the foreseeable future.
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