Should Drew Brees retire from the Saints? I weigh the pros and cons.

When faced with a difficult, perhaps life-altering decision, I usually try to compile a list of pros and cons; reasons for and against.

I suspect New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees is going through a similar exercise as he wrestles with the idea of continuing his NFL career at age 41 or retiring after 19 Hall of Fame-caliber seasons.

Should he or shouldn’t he? Only No. 9 knows for sure.

We should know soon — after he tells Saints officials and word predictably leaks out to selected members of the national press corps — perhaps before Fat Tuesday (February 25).

Saints officials, too, are mulling over their options.

Brees’ decision ultimately will influence the way Saints general manager Mickey Loomis, coach Sean Payton and the team’s football operations go about their off-season business with regards to free agency, the NFL draft (April 23-25) and specifically the position of quarterback.

I will stay with my original prediction:

▪ Contrary to recent reports suggesting the end is near, I believe Brees will table retirement and mutually agree to a short-term contract with the Saints for fewer dollars than what other top-tier quarterbacks are currently making.

▪ Look for the Saints to offer the highest one-year tender to restricted free agent quarterback Taysom Hill. upwards of $4.5 million that includes first-round draft pick compensation in the event they decline to match another team’s offer.

▪ If Brees re-signs, look for backup QB Teddy Bridgewater to test free agency and ultimately find a full-time job with commensurate salary elsewhere. I suspect TB5 will be afforded a better, more lucrative opportunity than the one presented to him a year ago in Miami.

Could all three players return? Possibly, but not likely.

The most likely scenario is Brees will remain the designated starter in 2020 with the understanding that Hill will play a bigger role under center and continue preparing to eventually replace Brees.

Brees isn’t getting younger. Then again, neither is Hill who turns 30 on August 23rd.

What Drew Brees has to consider

That said, I believe the pros far outweighs the cons for Brees to remain with the Saints: Here is a sampling:

▪ First and foremost, Brees is a “young’‘ 41. He remains healthy, highly motivated and fully engaged and simply is not ready to give up the game he loves.

▪ Though Hill played superbly in the team’s wildcard loss to Minnesota and probably should have taken more snaps at QB, Brees played at a Pro Bowl level over the last nine games after recovering from thumb surgery. Brees still has game and is the team’s undisputed leader.

▪ In addition to remaining the starter, Brees could also serve as a mentor/coach for Hill and continue to share his vast knowledge. There is nothing like experience. FYI: Hill has thrown only 15 NFL passes, including two in the postseason.

▪ If Brees agrees to take a hometown discount, then the Saints could apply that extra salary cap room to re-sign their own players, extend contracts and upgrade their roster in free agency.

▪ Brees still gives the Saints the best chance of winning and pursuing a second Lombardi Trophy.

▪ Hill simply isn’t ready to be a full-time starter, Brees is better than Bridgewater and the team can’t afford to keep all three players in their current roles.

▪ Brees has no intention of being a backup or continuing his career elsewhere. So it’s New Orleans or nothing, leaving him with only one viable option.

▪ Because of his athleticism, Hill gives the Saints more options at quarterback than either Brees or Bridgewater.

▪ Brees isn’t getting any younger and neither are his four young children, all under the age of 12.

▪ The time is ripe for Brees to pursue other interests, such as politics, football, business, TV, full-time husband and father while he still has his health and faculties.

▪ Team went 5-0 in Brees’ absence with Bridgewater at quarterback and the defense actually played its best ball of the season during these five games.

▪ Is Brees ready to take a time-share role with Hill? Would Brees really be willing to concede 30 snaps per game to Hill?

▪ If the plan, indeed, is to give Hill more snaps at quarterback and reduce Brees’ role, how can the team justify paying Brees like a full-time starter? A new Collective Bargaining Agreement and new lucrative TV agreement would provide players with a bigger piece of the revenue pie, though it might come too late to benefit Brees.

▪ The NFL game continues to evolve and has made a dramatic shift toward a more mobile quarterback (Patrick Mahomes, Russell Wilson, Deshaun Watson, Lamar Jackson). Hill fits that description. It’s time to move on from Brees.

These are just some of the pros and cons Brees and Saints officials might be considering as “Decision Day’‘ fast approaches.

This story was originally published February 7, 2020 at 11:29 AM.