Drew Brees shares if he could follow in Philip Rivers' footsteps, return to NFL

Quarterback Philip Rivers became responsible for one of the most interesting stories of the 2025 NFL season when he ended his retirement, returned to the Indianapolis Colts and then played in regular-season games for the first time since the 2020 campaign at the age of 44. 

Meanwhile, New Orleans Saints legend, 2026 Hall of Fame selection and 47-year-old Drew Brees also hasn't taken a meaningful in-game snap since the 2020 season. While some understandably have wondered if Brees could follow in Rivers' footsteps, Brees revealed on a recent edition of the "Bussin’ With The Boys" podcast that he will be staying retired. 

Drew Brees' throwing arm is no longer at an NFL level

"I would know where to throw it," Brees said about the state of his throwing arm, per Michael David Smith of Pro Football Talk. "I just don’t know if I could get it there." 

Brees' revelation isn't all that shocking. As far back as the spring of 2022, it was said that he was so banged up that he needed surgery on his non-throwing shoulder at that time. Unlike with Rivers, who was repeatedly mentioned in comeback rumors over the years, there was no indication across the past few seasons that Brees felt he had an itch that remained unscratched. 

Drew Brees doesn't feel as good as Tom Brady these days

Back in December, Las Vegas Raiders minority owner and current Fox lead NFL in-game analyst Tom Brady said that he felt he could "absolutely...could go out there and play" if he had a month to prepare. He later teased that he "inquired" about coming out of retirement once again before he was told that he couldn't both play and be a minority owner of a team. 

"I don’t throw with my right arm anymore," Brees continued during the interview. "I actually throw left-handed. I started doing that toward the end of my career with my kids, because I’d come home after a long day of practice, I didn’t have anything left in my right arm, but the boys wanted to play catch, so I’d throw left-handed. I’m pretty mean inside 30 with this left arm."

It sounds like fans of Brees will have to rely on highlights to see footage of the iconic quarterback throwing passes against opposing defenses.