Brees not ready to make retirement decision after loss to Bucs
New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees isn't ready to call time on his legendary career in the wake of a disappointing three-interception performance in Sunday's divisional-round loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
"I'm gonna give myself an opportunity to think about the season, think about a lot of things, just like I did last year, and make a decision," the 42-year-old said after the 30-20 defeat, according to Mike Triplett of ESPN.
Brees' 20th season was widely expected to be his last entering the year, and FOX Sports' Jay Glazer suggested prior to the NFC South showdown that retirement was likely for the quarterback.
Asked Brees if the way this game played out or the way the season ended could have any influence on his decision to keep playing, and he said, "No. This won't have anything to do with it."
— Mike Triplett (@MikeTriplett) January 18, 2021
Brees put together one of the worst playoff games of his career against Tom Brady and the Bucs.
The veteran signal-caller struggled to throw the ball downfield, ending the game 19 of 34 for 134 yards and one touchdown against three picks. The Saints' longest passing play of the game was a 56-yard touchdown thrown by backup Jameis Winston on a trick play.
Brees blew kisses to Saints fans as he left the Mercedes-Benz Superdome for potentially the last time as a player:
9️⃣ 🙏 pic.twitter.com/nBGrJb5DOR
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) January 18, 2021
If Brees does retire, he will hang up his cleats as one of the most accomplished quarterbacks in NFL history.
Brees ranks first in all-time passing yards (80,358) and second in passing touchdowns behind Brady (571). He won Super Bowl XLIV in 2009 and took home the game's MVP award.
The longtime Saints star also owns five 5,000-yard seasons (there have only been 11 in NFL history), two Offensive Player of the Year awards, and 13 Pro Bowl nominations.