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What’s New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton to do when ambushed by TMZ Sports reporters at an exotic car show, with questions about Drew Brees’ future raining down on him? The odds that Brees, the surefire Hall of Fame quarterback, will return for one more year has never felt less certain.
As it turns out, he’s able to quickly think on his feet. Payton shot down the opportunity for any ill-advised hot takes, saying, “Listen, I think he’s playing at a high level. He’ll know (when it’s time to hang it up). He’s doing well.”
And when pressed as to whether he wants Brees back, having coached the quarterback his entire career in New Orleans, Payton smirked and replied, “Absolutely,” before walking away. You can see the exchange where we’ve embedded it below.
It lines up with comments Payton made earlier this offseason, in which he endorsed Brees’ performance last season and made it clear that he’ll be patient with the face of his franchise. It’s been a few weeks since that press conference, but Payton sure doesn’t look like someone who’s anticipating a dramatic farewell. He hasn’t seen Brees fall off in decline just yet, but Payton acknowledged that his quarterback will know what he’s capable of (and not able to do) better than anyone else. Whatever Brees decides, Payton plans to trust his judgment.
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