Network chairman says Drew Brees' NBC exit a 'lifestyle choice'

New Orleans Saints legend and future Hall of Fame quarterback Drew Brees retired after the 2020 NFL season and spent 2021 serving as an analyst for Notre Dame Fighting Irish football games and for NBC "Football Night in America" broadcasts. Brees also worked in the NBC booth alongside Mike Tirico for a January wild-card playoff game. 

The 43-year-old made headlines when he teased last month that he hadn't yet decided what he would do later this year and that he may consider a playing comeback. It now appears Brees won't return to NBC or an active roster. 

The Associated Press (h/t ESPN) reported Wednesday that NBC Sports chairman Pete Bevacqua has confirmed Brees won't be part of the network's NFL or college football coverage for 2022. Bevacqua added Brees wishes to spend more time with his family. 

"The unbelievable busyness of an NFL career and then really not taking a break at all and launching right in with us with both Notre Dame football and the NFL, it was certainly an around-the-clock assignment," Bevacqua explained. "This was definitely a lifestyle choice for him, which is totally understandable."

The AP notes Brees remains under contract with NBC but also that Bevacqua said the network wouldn't prevent the all-time great signal-caller from exploring other opportunities. However, it's believed Brees will spend at least the 2022 college and pro seasons at home. 

Meanwhile, it was reported last month Brees is recovering from left shoulder surgery and, thus, wouldn't physically be able to prepare for the upcoming NFL campaign if he seriously had an itch to play this fall.