A surprising high-profile factual dispute arose this week regarding an incident from 19 years ago: Drew Brees’ free agency decision during the 2006 NFL offseason. Brees has sided with his former coach, Sean Payton, against Nick Saban, the man who once wanted to coach him.
In the spring of 2006, Brees was a free agent for the first time after suffering a torn labrum and rotator cuff damage with the San Diego Chargers. He underwent surgery from Dr. James Andrews to repair his labrum and was treated by Dr. Saby Szajowitz for the rotator cuff damage, raising questions about his health. This did not deter both the Miami Dolphins, then coached by Saban, and the New Orleans Saints from pursuing him after he turned down the Chargers’ five-year, $50 million offer, which would have only paid him $2 million in the first year.
On The Pivot Podcast, Saban claimed that Brees ending up with the Saints was due to the Dolphins’ medical staff “failing him on a physical.” Ryan Clark reported that Saban helped keep the failed physical under wraps, paving the way for Brees to sign with New Orleans. However, this perspective contrasts with the reporting at the time and subsequent comments from those involved. Payton responded on X with, “A little bit missing in this piece…,” indicating discrepancies in Saban’s account.
Payton’s thoughts on the situation can also be seen in NFL Films’ documentary America’s Game: The 2009 Saints. He recounted a time when he unintentionally drove Brees through Lakeview, a neighborhood still heavily damaged from Hurricane Katrina. Initially, he thought this would lead Brees to choose the Dolphins, but the devastation instead convinced Brees to be part of the city’s rebuilding efforts. Brees supported this narrative in the documentary, stating he initially favored the Dolphins but recognized the “deeper meaning” in signing with the Saints.
In a notable appearance on CBS’ The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, Brees again shared his perspective without directly addressing Saban’s claims. While he expressed admiration for Saban, he remarked on his enjoyable visit to New Orleans, noting it was the wrong turn during the tour that solidified his decision. “Everything could not have gone better until the way home, when all of a sudden, detour here, detour there. Sean doesn’t know where he is… Next thing I know, we are in the Lakeview neighborhood, which had been completely wiped out from the flood of the 17th Street Canal,” Brees explained. This pivotal moment changed his outlook on the choice between the two teams.
Over the years, multiple perspectives on this event have surfaced. The Dolphins’ medical staff has faced criticism for their role in the situation, with many asserting that Miami would not sign Brees due to health concerns. Saban’s claim that “the deal was dead” has been met with skepticism; in reality, a team’s medical staff rarely unilaterally determines player moves. Payton and Brees have both denied Saban’s assertion that the Dolphins were no longer a viable option for Brees, emphasizing that the quarterback chose the Saints intentionally.
Brees’ commentary extends to his 2010 book, Coming Back Stronger, where he states that he leaned toward New Orleans but initially contacted Saban to gauge his commitment. He recalled that Saban was still interested in signing him but proposed a lower offer than Brees desired, ultimately solidifying his decision to join the Saints. This aligns with contemporary reports indicating Miami was still interested until the last moment but hesitated due to Brees’ contract demands.
Notably, Brees’ decision wasn’t solely influenced by witnessing the devastation during his visit; he remained interested in Miami, particularly because the Saints offered him a more lucrative contract. The overall picture appears more nuanced than a singular epiphany during one moment. Still, it’s essential to note that many factors influenced Brees’ final choice.
The significant factual dispute revolves around whether the Dolphins truly withdrew their offer due to medical concerns or simply factored them into their contract proposal. While Saban claims the former and suggests a cover-up for Brees’ benefit, other reporting from that time and Brees’ own statements seem to reinforce the latter idea. It remains unclear what actually transpired during Brees’ 2006 free agency, but the differences in accounts highlight the ongoing relevance of sports history today.
Brees’ eventual success with the Saints led to a Super Bowl win, while Saban’s struggles with the Dolphins contributed to his departure to Alabama. Their differing narratives are not only important for understanding their careers but also illustrate the lasting impact of decisions made under complex circumstances. The continued discourse surrounding these events emphasizes how sports history remains relevant in shaping current narratives and reputations.
