Should Saints QB Drew Brees retire or return? Evidence indicates it’s an easy call.

I’m sure I speak for all of Who Dat Nation in wishing “Happy Birthday’‘ to New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees.

Brees turns 41 Wednesday, no longer a millennial by the strict definition of the word but still a young man in the eyes of most. But, when it comes to playing quarterback in the National Football League, north-of-40 puts him in rarefied air.

Fact is, Brees isn’t getting any younger.

And neither are his four children — Baylen, who also turns 11 Wednesday; Bowen, 9; Callen, 7; and daughter Rylen, 5.

I remember vividly Brees, the proud papa, holding 13-month-old Baylen during the MVP Trophy presentation at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida, after the Saints defeated the Indianapolis Colts 31-17 in Super Bowl XLIV.

The date was Feb. 7, 2010.

My, how time flies ... and NFL quarterbacks age.

Brees played like an ageless wonder this season, right through Week 17, unlike a year ago when he seemed to lose zip on his fastball in the latter stages of the regular season and through the postseason.

This season, he, perhaps, benefited from an unscheduled five-game break after requiring surgery to repair an injured right thumb on his throwing hand between Weeks 2 and 3.

I wouldn’t necessarily attribute his poor performance to age on Wildcard Sunday at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Credit the relentless interior pass rush of the Minnesota Vikings for that stinker.

But the thought of Brees being 10 days shy of 41 did cross my mind, especially when I saw the Saints’ designated ‘‘gadget man,’‘ 29-year-old quarterback Taysom Hill, wreaking havoc on the Vikings’ defense.

Look, I’m not trying to push Brees out the door in the direction of Pro Football’s Hall of Fame in Canton, OH. While New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady may have looked his age this season (42), Brees seems to still have sufficient tread left on his tires.

I know all three Saints quarterbacks are free agents — Brees, Hill and Teddy Bridgewater. In a “perfect world,’‘ according to Saints coach Sean Payton, all three players would re-up with the Black and Gold in the offseason.

But this is not a perfect world.

I see Brees returning for his 20th NFL season, probably a one-year deal at a team-friendly cap number. He’s not ready to become a TV talking head, a politician or a minority owner of the Saints, not after what transpired against the Vikings. He still has playoff mountains to climb before turning his full attention to his young family and outside interests.

After re-proving himself this season in Brees’ absence, Bridgewater, 27, is likely to test free agency and see what the market will bear. I suspect he’ll come across an offer that he can’t refuse.

I also see the Saints retaining Hill’s services, probably tagging him at the highest level as a restricted free agent. Hill would resume his multi-faceted role on offense and special teams and remain in play as the heir apparent at quarterback.

Meantime, Drew Christopher Brees is expected to continue playing the game he loves at the youthful age of 41.

This story was originally published January 14, 2020 at 10:56 AM.