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NEW ORLEANS – Drew Brees was still on the Superdome field almost two hours after what was likely his last game at the historic New Orleans Saints building.
Brees, who is expected to retire after 20 seasons, did not officially announce his intentions after a disappointing 30-20 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the divisional round of the playoffs on Sunday. But he made sure to soak everything up.
Brees and his wife, Brittany, spent time playing with their four children – soccer and gymnastics. He also spent time chatting with longtime friend and rival Tom Brady. After the two all-time great quarterbacks shared a hug, Brady even threw a pass at one of Brees’ kids before moving on to the NFC Championship game.
Brees, who turned 42 on Friday, was hoping to reach his fourth NFC title game and second Super Bowl this year. Instead, he threw three interceptions in a playoff game for the first time in his career as Tampa Bay recovered from a 20-13 deficit in the third quarter.
“I’m going to give myself the opportunity to reflect on the season, to think about a lot of things, like I did last year, and to make a decision,” Brees said when asked directly s ‘he had just played his last game.
He said his performance on Sunday or the end of the season would not affect his decision. But when asked what would weigh in the decision, Brees replied, “I’ll keep this to myself right away.”
Brees added, however, that he had no regrets about coming back this year after nearly retiring after last season.
“I would never regret it. Never,” said Brees, who missed four games in November and December with a punctured lung and 11 broken ribs, but still helped the Saints take second place. the NFC with a 12-4 record before their disappointing end.
“No complaints. No regrets. Dude, I’ve always tried to play this game with great respect and reverence. And I appreciate everything this game has given me,” said Brees, who drove the Saints to their only Super Bowl victory in franchise history in 2009 and holds the NFL record for career passing yards. “There are obviously so many amazing memories, so many amazing relationships that are the result of playing this game. And, man, you learn so much about yourself and you have to fight so much when you play this game.
“And I would say this season I’ve probably had to fight harder than ever in any other season in my career – from injury to all the COVID stuff to crazy circumstances. And it was worth every moment. of it. Absolutely. “
Saints coach Sean Payton also said he couldn’t speak for Brees and didn’t want to spend time reflecting on Brees’ future Hall of Famer career at this time.
“Oh look, I think it’s probably for another press conference,” Payton said. “It would take all of my time on your question tonight. Obviously he’s been great for this team, this city, I could go on and on. But let’s wait and answer that at the right time.”
Other teammates, from veteran linebacker Demario Davis to young receiver Tre’Quan Smith, both used the exact same word when asked what Brees meant to them – “everything”.
If this was Brees’ last game, he didn’t have the kind of career-renowned players like John Elway or Peyton Manning. In fact, it was the exact opposite.
Brees completed 19 of 34 passes for just 134 yards with one touchdown on a night where he struggled to drop the ball even more than usual. The Saints’ biggest passing play came when substitute Jameis Winston threw a 56-yard pass on a chip set the Saints stole from the Chicago Bears, who tried it against the Saints a week earlier.
And Brees failed to connect once with wide receiver Michael Thomas on four targets. Brees’ first interception in the second quarter came when the Saints were leading 6-3 and he beat Thomas. Cornerback Sean Murphy-Bunting jumped in front of him and nearly flipped him for a touchdown.
Brees then threw another choice in the fourth quarter when the Saints led 23-20 and linebacker Devin White beat Alvin Kamara in the middle of the field. The third interception came on a tilted pass as the Saints trailed 30-20 with less than five minutes remaining.
Tight end Jared Cook also lost a critical fumble in the third quarter as the Saints led 20-13 and came through the midfield.
“I would say it’s pretty unusual because we preach about playing ‘winning football’. And you flip the ball four times, it’s not ‘winning football’ – especially in the playoffs, especially against a team like that one, ”said Brees, who blamed himself for the interceptions.
“Well, I probably shouldn’t have tossed a few and maybe forced them in there. And we were probably just a little behind on the overall execution,” Brees said. “But at the end of the day, that’s what this game has come to terms with, it’s those turnovers.”
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