Updated
Updated · Fox News · Sep 15
Drew Brees Nearly Joined Broncos at 47 for AFC Title Game After Bo Nix Injury
Updated
Updated · Fox News · Sep 15

Drew Brees Nearly Joined Broncos at 47 for AFC Title Game After Bo Nix Injury

3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Sep 15

Summary

  • Adam Schefter reported Drew Brees, 47, seriously considered ending a five-year retirement to start for Denver in last season’s AFC Championship Game.
  • Bo Nix’s broken ankle in overtime of the divisional round forced the Broncos to seek an emergency option, prompting assistants Joe Lombardi and Pete Carmichael to contact their former Saints quarterback.
  • A private throwing workout ended the plan when wrist discomfort convinced Brees his body could no longer handle a return, and Sean Payton reportedly did not learn of the outreach until months later.
  • Jarrett Stidham started instead, and Denver lost 10-7 to New England; any active snap by Brees would also have reset his Hall of Fame eligibility clock from 2026 to 2031.

Insights

What does the secret attempt to unretire Drew Brees reveal about the Broncos' true faith in their backup quarterbacks?
Could a retired Drew Brees have survived a freezing playoff game after five years completely away from the NFL?
Why did Denver assistants hide their desperate plan to recruit a retired Hall of Famer from head coach Sean Payton?