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Now that it’s over, let’s take stock of Drew Brees’ career.
He played his last game on Sunday after losing to the Buccaneers – he said he was going to retire. And he’s certainly one of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history. Plus, he’s the greatest QB Saints of all time.
But he wouldn’t have been the 49ers’ greatest QB of all time – he’s Joe Montana. Brees also wouldn’t have been the 49ers’ second-best quarterback of all time – it’s Steve Young.
Yes, Young was better than Brees, although Brees has better numbers.
Brees threw the most passing yards in league history – 80,358 – while Montana pitched for just 40,551 yards and Young pitched for 33,124. And Brees’ career passer rating was 98.7, while Young’s was 96.8 and Montana’s was 92.3.
But these statistics say more about the difference in eras than about the difference in quarters. Brees played in an era that protected quarterbacks. Defensive players are barely allowed to touch Brees – which is why he played in his 40s.
Plus, defensive players are barely allowed to touch receivers either, and they can’t hit them hard in the middle. The number of passes has therefore exploded throughout the league. The average NFL passer rating in 2020 was 92, while in the ’80s and’ 90s it was 75.
Playing quarterback is so much easier today than it was 30 or 40 years ago.
Imagine Young at that time. Imagine it on the Saints. He would be taller than Brees, faster than Brees, would have a stronger arm than Brees, would be just as precise as Brees, just as smart as Brees, just as brilliant of a competitor. And Young probably would have won more than one Super Bowl.
I don’t want to disrespect Brees. He’s a future Hall of Fame member in the first round, and he’s one of the top 15 quarterbacks of all time. But he wasn’t as good as Montana, Young, Aaron Rodgers, Peyton Manning, Tom Brady, Ben Roethlisberger, Brett Favre, Dan Marino, John Elway or Johnny Unitas.
I say it like that.
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