Brees gifts Zion jersey with message: 'Passing the torch to you! Who dat!'

New Orleans has been Drew Brees' city ever since the Saints quarterback helped it recover from Hurricane Katrina and then gave it its only Super Bowl championship in the 2009 season.

But the future Hall of Famer is 40 years old and apparently ready for New Orleans' newest star to take over as the face of the city.

Brees gifted Zion Williamson - the Pelicans' recent pick at the top of the NBA draft - a signed jersey with a message that read, "To Zion - Passing the torch to you! Who dat!"

Expectations for Williamson's pro career are sky-high, but the franchise is set for a major rebuild following the trade of Anthony Davis to the Los Angeles Lakers.

The Saints, meanwhile, are primed to compete for a Super Bowl in what will likely be Brees' final few seasons; Williamson is New Orleans' future, but Brees could still leave the city with the perfect parting gift.