New Saints HC doesn't believe Drew Brees is returning to NFL

Recent rumors suggest former New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees may be contemplating coming out of retirement. Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports

New Saints HC Dennis Allen doesn't believe Drew Brees is returning to NFL

By Chelena Goldman | Last updated 5/16/22

Drew Brees teasing a return to the NFL? Dennis Allen isn't buying it.

The Super Bowl-winning retired quarterback set sports Twitter aflutter on Sunday evening when he posted about being "undecided" about his future and hinted that he "may play football again."

But the New Orleans Saints' new head coach revealed on Monday when asked about Brees' tweets that he isn't being sucked into the hype.

"I think it was a comment made in jest, and we certainly haven't had any conversations in that regard," Allen said Monday while attending the Saints' Hall of Fame golf tournament, via ESPN.

All the speculation arose on Sunday after news broke that Brees wouldn't return to NBC after one season as a studio and game analyst for "Sunday Night Football." The decision was reportedly mutual and in part because Brees likes calling play-by-play over studio work. But his veiled tweet that followed the announcement has suggested he's really looking to come out of retirement.

Despite speculation from media about my future this fall, I’m currently undecided. I may work for NBC, I may play football again, I may focus on business and philanthropy, I may train for the pickleball tour, senior golf tour, coach my kids or all of the above. I’ll let you know
— Drew Brees (@drewbrees) May 15, 2022

Whether or not the Saints have actually spoken to Brees about a possible return, Allen isn't putting any energy in that direction.

"I don't really want to live in those hypothetical worlds right now," Allen said when asked if he thinks Brees could still play at the NFL level. "We'll see where it all goes, but he caused a lot of interest, that's for sure."

Brees retired in 2021 after 20 seasons. He is second in NFL history in career passing yards (80,358) and touchdown passes (571).

The Saints, meanwhile, look to rebound in Allen's first year as head coach after a dismal and injury-plagued 2021 campaign. Jameis Winston is expected to be New Orleans' starting quarterback with Andy Dalton as the backup.

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