Drew Brees is returning to the New Orleans Saints in 2020, but he’s already lined up his future in football once he retires. When his NFL career comes to an end, Brees will make the transition into the broadcast booth.
According to The New York Post’s Andrew Marchand, Brees reached a deal with NBC Sports that will make him a new face of the network’s NFL telecasts after his Hall of Fame playing career comes to an end.
The 41-year-old quarterback started generating interest from television networks this offseason as he contemplated his future. While Brees announced he would return to the Saints in 2020, he continued to plan out his future after his playing career ends.
Brees drew significant interest from ESPN, with the network’s hope being to have him take over Monday Night Football after being rejected by Peyton Manning and Tony Romo, who signed a record contract with CBS, this offseason. ESPN has now struck out on a third iconic quarterback to become the face of its top broadcast.
According to the report, Brees will be groomed as a potential replacement for Cris Collinsworth on Sunday Night Football. NBC already plans for Mike Tirico to take over for legendary broadcaster Al Michaels following the 2022 Super Bowl.
Saints head coach Sean Payton recently indicated that Brees will retire after this season. If that’s the case, Brees is expected to begin his television career as a game analyst for Notre Dame’s football games and work as a studio analyst for NBC’s Football Night in America.
ESPN reportedly made Brees an offer around $6 million per year to become its broadcaster and NBC reportedly made him a competitive offer, which he has now agreed to.