In the waning moments of the Denver Broncos’ Divisional Round matchup against the Buffalo Bills, starting quarterback Bo Nix suffered a right ankle fracture, knocking him out of the AFC Championship as the Broncos lost to the New England Patriots.
There were many rumors surrounding possible replacements for the Broncos’ signal-caller. However, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that former New Orleans Saints legend Drew Brees was one of the quarterbacks the Broncos’ staff contacted to fill in for the injured Nix in the 2026 NFL postseason.
Denver Broncos Reached Out to Drew Brees
Head Coach Sean Payton had a legendary run with the Saints to start his NFL coaching career in 2006. Over a 15-year career, he transformed New Orleans from an afterthought to a household name, along with the talents of Brees under center. Between Payton and Brees, the Saints would become synonymous with offensive production as the pair fielded some of the best offenses over the course of their tenure together.
After stepping down as head coach of the Saints in 2022, the Broncos agreed to trade a 2023 first-round pick and a 2024 second-round pick to New Orleans in exchange for the head coach and a 2024 third-round pick. While Payton and the Broncos struggled in their first season, he and the franchise drafted Bo Nix in the 2024 NFL Draft, tying him to the franchise.
While the Broncos made the playoffs in 2024, they exited in the Wild Card Round. In 2025, the Broncos picked up where they left off, leading the AFC West and earning a first-round bye. Nix would outduel the Bills in the Divisional Round but would go out with a broken ankle.
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Many quarterbacks were contacted, but in the end, Jarrett Stidham earned the start under center as the Broncos fell to the New England Patriots 10-7. According to Schefter, it was then-offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi and offensive assistant Pete Carmichael, both longtime Brees confidants from their time together in New Orleans, who privately reached out to Brees about coming out of retirement for the AFC Championship matchup.
Notably, the two assistants did not inform Payton of the discussions at the time; he didn’t learn of the plan until the offseason and reportedly was “fascinated and flabbergasted” when he did.
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Fans couldn’t believe the news shared by the Hall of Famer, as many believed that Brees could’ve helped the Broncos win not only the AFC Championship but the Super Bowl as well. One fan posted, “Drew Brees would’ve won us the Super Bowl 💔.”
Drew Brees would’ve won us the Super Bowl 💔
— 🥶 (@jumpman21058) September 14, 2026
PFN’s Alex Kennedy didn’t quite agree with the standard fan consensus, hinting that Brees being under center would have been a disaster by posting, “No disrespect to the legend, but he had an absolute noodle arm in 2020. This would’ve been ugly.”
No disrespect to the legend, but he had an absolute noodle arm in 2020. This would’ve been ugly. https://t.co/RAYyPYO7DM
— Alex Kennedy (@AlexKennedyNBA) September 14, 2026
Yet, some weren’t surprised by Payton going back to a quarterback that had shown success for him, with one fan writing, “My boy Sean was trying to go back to ole reliable.”
My boy Sean was trying to go back to ole reliable https://t.co/AfqIdRqiGo
— Bean🖤🐍 (@Jellybean_Bryan) September 14, 2026
While some fans were focused on the return of Brees and even Philip Rivers in 2025, some couldn’t help but imagine a pipe dream for 2026. One user posted, “First its Rivers now Brees almost came back? How long until Brady suits up to defend the title?”
First its Rivers now Brees almost came back? How long until Brady suits up to defend the title? 😆
— J̣̌ªMə§ (@EarlofBeretta2) September 14, 2026
However, despite Brees being contacted, he ultimately was not able to follow through on a return. Brees told coaches Lombardi and Carmichael that he wanted to work out first to see how his body would respond, but he experienced wrist discomfort during that workout and decided against attempting a comeback.
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Separately, in a June 2026 appearance on the “Bussin’ With The Boys” podcast, Brees was asked more generally whether he could pull off a Philip Rivers-style comeback. He explained, “Well, look, I would know where to throw it, I just don’t know if I could get it there. That’s one lingering effect from the shoulder surgery,” Brees said. “I don’t throw with my right arm anymore. I actually throw left-handed. I kind of started doing that towards the end of my career.”
He continued, “Just with my kids, because I come home after a long day of practice and I didn’t have anything left in my right arm… But the boys want to play catch. I throw left-handed. I’m pretty mean inside of 30 with this left arm.”
While many fans would be thrilled at the idea of Brees taking over under center again, it’s clear that age has caught up with the Hall of Fame quarterback. We can remember his brilliance without needing to see it again on the field.
