Much like Tom Brady, Drew Brees learned the hard way that stepping into broadcasting isn’t as easy as it looks.
But unlike Brady, Brees didn’t have a $375 million safety net to fall back on.
His time at NBC came to an abrupt end after a less-than-stellar playoff performance alongside Mike Tirico in January 2022.
Brees seemed oddly off his game, with a hesitant, uninspired delivery that drew heavy criticism from viewers. Soon after, NBC and Brees parted ways after just one season. While his playoff showing was a major misstep, it wasn’t his only assignment at the network. Brees also called an entire season of Notre Dame football and served as an NFL studio analyst. Maybe he wasn’t quite ready to take over for Cris Collinsworth, but it feels like NBC pulled the plug a little too quickly.
Brees would agree — and he’s already made it clear he’s looking for a second chance.
“What I really love is I love broadcasting, because there’s an insight that comes with playing the position, the quarterback position, for 20 years that you have that nobody else has,” Brees told CNBC’s Alex Sherman on Radio Row Thursday. “Especially with today’s present game. With the players that are on the field, with the coaching staffs, the defensive and offensive systems that are in place, how they’re working to combat each other. And so I feel like we’re extremely well equipped to be able to talk about and communicate exactly what’s happened on the field and why.
“And so, look, I feel like preparing for — to broadcast an NFL game is a lot like playing it right? What you’re looking for. But there is also a formula to be able to communicate that insight. And so look, I would with the right opportunity, I’d love to be in the booth.”
Sherman pressed Brees on if he’s been talking with media executives about a potential foray back into the booth.
“Maybe.”
Sherman then asked if some of them were in New Orleans.
“Maybe.”
Next season, perhaps?
“Maybe.”
While it’s unclear what the future holds, Brees is already dipping his toes back into the media world. He made a guest appearance on ESPN’s Monday Night Countdown in November and was part of Netflix’s Christmas Day NFL coverage, hinting at a potential soft launch for his return to the broadcast booth.
So maybe, just maybe, we’ll see Brees back in the game sooner than expected.
