Broncos Reportedly Sought Brees After Nix Injury
Broncos Reportedly Sought Brees After Nix Injury
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Key Points
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Brees later described the moment he considered returning on the “New Heights” podcast: “There was a moment this year where, literally, I was drinking a tequila and something happened where I thought there might be a chance where I could play that week.” After working out, he concluded, “it’s not there.”
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Bo Nix fractured his ankle on the second-to-last play of Denver’s divisional-round victory over the Buffalo Bills, immediately before the Broncos kicked the game-winning field goal to advance to the AFC Championship Game.
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Brees’ possible return would have reunited him with Sean Payton, who coached him in New Orleans from 2006 through 2020, including the Saints’ Super Bowl victory after the 2009 season.
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The Broncos’ inquiry came amid Brees’ extraordinary career résumé: he finished with 80,358 passing yards, 571 touchdown passes and a 67.7% completion rate, according to the report.
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This was not the first time Brees had been approached about an emergency comeback: after injuries and COVID-19 absences depleted New Orleans’ quarterback room in 2021, the Saints also contacted Brees, Josh McCown and Philip Rivers, but Brees chose to remain retired.
Drew Brees nearly traded retirement for one final playoff game. After Bo Nix fractured his ankle in Denver's divisional-round win over Buffalo, Broncos assistants Joe Lombardi and Pete Carmichael called the Hall of Fame quarterback about suiting up for the AFC Championship against New England. Brees, 47, agreed to work out—but wrist pain ended the comeback before it started.
The potential reunion would have reunited Brees with coach Sean Payton, his mentor for 15 seasons in New Orleans. But Payton didn't learn about the call until the offseason. Instead, Denver started Jarrett Stidham, who threw two costly turnovers in a 10-7 loss to the Patriots.
The Moment Brees Almost Came Back
Brees later revealed the surreal nature of his near-return on the "New Heights" podcast. Brees said: "There was a moment this year where, literally, I was drinking a tequila and something happened where I thought there might be a chance where I could play that week." After testing his arm in a workout, reality set in. "It's not there," he concluded, acknowledging that his wrist simply wouldn't cooperate.
The Payton Connection Neither Coach Knew About
Brees spent 15 seasons playing for Sean Payton in New Orleans, from 2006 to 2020. The two won a Super Bowl together after the 2009 season. Yet when Denver's coaching staff called Brees, Payton apparently didn't know about it. Denver Post reported that the head coach only learned of the discussions once the offseason began—a curious detail that raises questions about how isolated the inquiry remained within the organization.
A Legendary Résumé That Still Looked Good
Brees left the field with 80,358 passing yards, 571 touchdown passes, and a 67.7% completion rate. He entered the Pro Football Hall of Fame in August after a five-year wait. At 47, he wasn't just any retired quarterback—he was arguably the greatest pure passer in NFL history. That pedigree made the call to Denver seem less crazy than it otherwise might have been.
Not His First Emergency Comeback Offer
The Broncos weren't the first team to come knocking. In 2021, the Saints faced a quarterback shortage due to injuries and COVID-19 absences. New Orleans contacted Brees along with Josh McCown and Philip Rivers about emergency returns. Brees declined that time too. This time, wrist pain made the decision for him—no working arm meant no football, even for a Hall of Famer.
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