Sean Payton distanced himself from the Denver Broncos’ radical idea to bring Drew Brees out of retirement last postseason.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Monday that Broncos then-offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi and offensive assistant Pete Carmichael talked with Brees about joining them to play the AFC Championship Game. Brees, who hasn’t played since closing the 2020 season with Payton’s New Orleans Saints, rejected a stunning comeback after he felt wrist discomfort during a workout.
Asked about the wild story Monday evening, Payton told reporters he was not aware of his staff’s proposal to reunite him with Brees.
“No, I just know I was the odd man out, and I never heard anything about it, so it never came to anything,” Payton said, per Zac Stevens of DNVR Sports. “I was only told about it later. I didn’t. I was just like you guys.”
Broncos considered Brees comeback
The Broncos reportedly considered drastic measures to replace Bo Nix, who injured his ankle at the end of their AFC Divisional Round win over the Buffalo Bills. Brees turned 47 shortly before their matchup against the New England Patriots.
According to Schefter, Lombardi and Carmichael did not inform Payton of their conversations with the Hall of Fame quarterback. The head coach didn’t learn anything until the offseason.
Payton was allegedly “fascinated and flabbergasted” by the attempt to lure Brees out of retirement. Had Brees agreed to return, a Broncos source believes they would have signed him and determined whether to start him over Jarrett Stidham.
“At a minimum, you sign [Brees], he’s 1A or 1B,” the source said. “And Drew’s point was: ‘I know how to win a game like that.'”
Brees ultimately declined, and the Broncos fell short of a Super Bowl appearance when losing 10-7 to the Patriots. Stidham completed 17 of 31 passes for 133 yards, a touchdown, and an interception on a snowy day at Mile High.
The Broncos could have shocked the world by luring Brees out of retirement, and the all-time great leading them to a win would have made for a truly crazy story. It’s hard to picture him dusting off years of rust in days and playing well in inclement weather against a strong defense, but the story may now endure as one of the NFL’s most bizarre what-ifs.
