The Denver Broncos aren’t just 0-1 this season, they’ve been accused of tampering with an NFL legend.
Prior to the Broncos’ season opener Monday night, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that Denver reached out to Drew Brees prior to the AFC Championship Game last January. They were hoping the New Orleans Saints legend would come out of retirement to fill in for an injured Bo Nix.
“After the Broncos lost starting quarterback Bo Nix to a fractured ankle in their overtime playoff victory against the Bills, Denver’s then-offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi and offensive assistant Pete Carmichael had discussions with Brees about the former star quarterback coming out of retirement to be ready for the AFC Championship Game, sources told ESPN,” Adam Schefter wrote. “Brees had turned 47 years old just two days before Nix suffered the ankle injury on Jan. 17.”
Brees, who retired after the 2020 season, reportedly put any chatter about a comeback to rest after experiencing discomfort in his shoulder during a workout.
While the thought of the Hall of Famer coming out of retirement is fascinating, Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk pointed out that Brees can’t just join the Broncos on the spot since he’s on the Saints’ reserve-retired list. Schefter’s report alone could lead to the NFL investigating Denver’s actions.
“Even if the Saints don’t file a tampering complaint, the league can act without one,” Florio said. “For example, the NFL whacked the Dolphins in 2022 for tampering after it stumbled over evidence that Miami had tampered with Payton and Tom Brady while investigating an unrelated matter.”
What really happened in Denver?
Interestingly enough, Broncos coach Sean Payton downplayed the idea of Brees joining his roster last January.
“Drew had reached out, I think, right after the championship or right after the playoff win against Buffalo,” Payton told reporters, via Pro Football Talk. “I think he called Pete, probably texted Pete or Joe, those guys. None of it even came to my attention. So, when the story came up in Canton, I kept thinking they were just talking about the COVID season. Even in the COVID season when he and I discussed possibly coming back for a Monday night game, he had trouble throwing it. So, I don’t think really anything really came of it. I think in Drew’s mind, there’s that competitor in him. So, I was kind of out of the loop. I don’t think it’s a big story, but nonetheless, certainly one that once they described it to me, it just never got to my level, I guess. He had reached out to Pete, I think, and then Joe.”
Brees, however, told NFL reporter Ed Werder that he was contacted by members of the Broncos’ coaching staff.
“HOF QB Drew Brees tells me he was contacted by former Saints coaches on Sean Payton’s staff about playing in the AFC Championship Game for injured Bo Nix the morning after Dan Fouts did the door knock informing him he was voted into the HOF,” Werder wrote. “Once assured nothing would change regarding his 2026 HOF induction, Brees took son Callen to nearby field to throw. Mentally, he was in for the Denver offer if he could perform physically and planned to convey that directly to Payton. Instead, Brees said his right wrist and shoulder were so damaged he couldn’t throw 15 yards with necessary velocity. That was the end of it.”
Who’s telling the truth? We’re not sure, but the Broncos may have some explaining to do.
