Brees’ retirement status raises NFL questions
A playoff injury suddenly put the Denver Broncos in an unusual quarterback situation. With the AFC Championship Game approaching, a familiar NFL name reportedly entered the conversation: Drew Brees.
The former Saints star considered the possibility of returning, but his comeback effort soon raised questions beyond his physical readiness. From his retirement status to the NFL rules surrounding player contact, the circumstances left plenty to examine.
Schefter reported contact with Brees
Schefter reported on September 14 that former Broncos offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi and offensive assistant Pete Carmichael discussed a potential comeback with Brees. Both coaches previously worked with Brees in New Orleans, where he played from 2006 through 2020.
According to Schefter’s report, Brees wanted to test his physical condition before making a decision. The conversations occurred after Nix suffered a fractured ankle during Denver’s 33-30 overtime playoff victory over Buffalo.
Bo Nix’s injury created the opening
Nix fractured his right ankle late in overtime against the Bills on January 17, ending his postseason. Denver immediately announced that Jarrett Stidham would start at quarterback against New England in the AFC Championship Game.
The Broncos had defeated Buffalo 33-30 before Nix’s injury, leaving Stidham and Sam Ehlinger as their available quarterbacks. Denver ultimately played New England on January 25, with Stidham starting in place of Nix.
Brees seriously considered returning
Brees seriously considered returning to the NFL, according to reporting from Schefter and veteran reporter Ed Werder. He reportedly wanted to determine whether his body could handle the demands of playing quarterback again.
Brees worked out after being contacted and experienced discomfort in his right wrist, while previous shoulder problems also affected his ability to throw. Those physical limitations ultimately ended the possibility of his return for Denver’s championship game.
Brees remained tied to the Saints
Brees retired from the NFL in March 2021 and remained on the New Orleans Saints’ reserve-retired list. Under NFL rules, a player on the reserve-retired list must seek reinstatement by the Tuesday after Week 13 to return during that season.
After that deadline, a player cannot be reinstated for the remainder of the regular season or postseason. Brees was therefore past the reinstatement deadline when Denver explored a possible AFC Championship Game return.
Interesting fact: Brees was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2026.
The reserve-retired rule matters
The timing of the Broncos’ reported discussions creates an important rules issue because the AFC Championship Game occurred after the regular season. Under NFL roster rules, a reserve-retired player could not simply return to active status during that postseason period.
That means Brees’ status with New Orleans was relevant even though Denver never signed him. The reported contact therefore raises questions about whether league rules concerning player contact and tampering could apply.
Interesting fact: Brees spent 15 seasons with the New Orleans Saints, where he and Sean Payton helped deliver the franchise its first Super Bowl championship during the 2009 season.
Tampering is the central question
The potential NFL issue involves anti-tampering rules, which restrict teams from improperly communicating with players connected to other clubs. The circumstances surrounding Brees are unusual because he was retired while remaining on the Saints’ reserve-retired list.
Pro Football Talk reported that contact without appropriate permission could potentially lead to a tampering investigation. However, the available reporting does not establish that Denver violated league rules.
Sean Payton said he was unaware
Sean Payton said he did not know about the reported discussions when they occurred. He explained that he learned about the conversations later and said the matter never reached him during the Broncos’ playoff preparation.
Payton’s account differs from the initial report about how the contact began. Brees separately told Ed Werder that former Saints coaches working with Denver contacted him about potentially playing.
Brees never joined the Broncos
The reported discussions never resulted in Brees signing with Denver or appearing in an NFL game for the Broncos. After testing his physical condition, Brees decided that wrist discomfort and his existing shoulder limitations prevented him from making the comeback.
Denver therefore continued with Stidham at quarterback for the AFC Championship Game. The Broncos lost 10-7 to the Patriots, ending their postseason and sending New England to the Super Bowl.
Denver avoided changing quarterbacks
Stidham started against New England after Denver ruled Nix out for the championship game. The Broncos announced him as the starter immediately after Nix’s injury, before the later reporting about Brees became public.
The game remained a one-score contest, but New England won 10-7 in Denver. Stidham completed 17 of 31 passes for 133 yards, 1 touchdown and 1 interception in the defeat.
No NFL punishment has been announced
As of now, there has been no public announcement from the NFL imposing discipline on Denver over the Brees discussions. Current reports describe the possibility of a tampering review rather than a confirmed league violation.
NFL precedent shows that the league can investigate alleged tampering and impose penalties when rules are violated. The Dolphins received significant discipline in 2022 following an NFL investigation into tampering violations.
The story resurfaced during Week 1
The Brees story returned to national attention immediately before Denver opened its 2026 regular season against Kansas City. Schefter’s report became a major storyline as the Broncos began their first game of the new season.
Denver then lost 31-10 to the Chiefs on September 14, finishing Week 1 with a 0-1 record. The Broncos were held to 176 total yards during the loss at Arrowhead Stadium.
The internet is also talking about Cristiano Ronaldo demanding action after disgusting chants about late Diogo Jota.
The NFL’s next step remains unclear
The key unresolved issue is whether the NFL will formally examine the Broncos’ reported communication with Brees. Public reporting has established that conversations occurred, but it has not established that Denver committed a punishable violation.
For now, the Broncos have not been publicly disciplined over the matter. Any future league action would depend on the NFL’s review of the communications, Brees’ reserve-retired status, and the applicable anti-tampering rules.
In other news, FIFA faces accusations of abusive conduct over women’s soccer calendar.
What do you think about the Broncos’ reported contact with Drew Brees? Like the post and comment with your take on whether the NFL should review the situation.
This slideshow was made with AI assistance and human editing.
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