Drew Brees ready to see Tom Brady break his NFL career passing yards record

This week's "Sunday Night Football" matchup will be special and unique for Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady for several reasons. Brady is returning to Gillette Stadium to face the New England Patriots, his first NFL home where he won six Super Bowl titles, but he's also just 68 passing yards away from breaking Drew Brees' career record of 80,358 yards. 

Brees, who set the mark with the New Orleans Saints, will be working as an NBC Sports analyst at Gillette on Sunday, and he said Tuesday he's "a firm believer that records are meant to be broken." 

"I'd be all for Brady just launching the first play of the game, just go ahead and get it out of the way," Brees joked, according to Jenna Laine of ESPN. "You said he needs, what? Sixty-eight yards? Let's have New England kick it in the end zone, start at the 25 and have him launch one to (wide receiver) Mike Evans and let's just be done with it.

"There's no doubt I think that's gonna get knocked down pretty quick. I can't think of a guy who has invested more into his career and his preparation and kind of what he's meant for the game. It's definitely a special record because it speaks to the longevity that he's been able to experience and the level that he's been able to play at."

As Laine noted, Brady and Brees have been friends for over two decades, and the two enjoyed a special exchange after the Bucs defeated the Saints in New Orleans this past January in Brees' final appearance as an active player.