Much like Tom Brady, Drew Brees learned the hard way that stepping into broadcasting isn’t as easy as it looks. However, unlike Brady, Brees didn’t have a $375 million safety net to rely on. His time at NBC ended abruptly after a lackluster playoff performance alongside Mike Tirico in January 2022, where he appeared off his game with a hesitant, uninspired delivery that drew heavy criticism from viewers. Consequently, NBC and Brees parted ways after just one season. Although his playoff showing was a significant misstep, it wasn’t his only assignment at the network, as he also called an entire season of Notre Dame football and served as an NFL studio analyst. While he may not have been quite ready to take over for Cris Collinsworth, it feels like NBC pulled the plug too quickly.
Brees would agree and has already made it clear he’s seeking a second chance. “What I really love is broadcasting, because there’s an insight that comes with playing 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 game and the players on the field, including the coaching staffs and the systems in place, how they work to combat each other. I feel extremely equipped to communicate what’s happened on the field and why.”
Brees continued, “Preparing to broadcast an NFL game is a lot like playing it, right? What you’re looking for is similar. But there is also a formula for effectively communicating that insight. With the right opportunity, I’d love to be in the booth.” Sherman pressed Brees about whether he’s been in talks with media executives regarding a return to broadcasting, to which he responded, “Maybe,” when asked if some were in New Orleans. When prompted about next season, he repeated, “Maybe.”
While Brees’ future remains uncertain, he is already easing his way back into the media landscape. He made a guest appearance on ESPN’s Monday Night Countdown in November and participated in Netflix’s Christmas Day NFL coverage, hinting at a potential soft launch for his return to the broadcast booth. So perhaps, we may see Brees back in the game sooner than expected.
