Drew Brees has no regrets coming back to play this season

The veteran Saints quarterback says he will take time to think and make a decision about his future

NEW ORLEANS – Drew Brees he was still on the Superdome field about two hours after what was probably his last game at the historic Los Angeles home. New Orleans Saints.

Drew Brees, which is expected to retire after 20 seasons, did not officially disclose his intentions after a disappointing 30-20 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the Divisional Round of the play-offs on Sunday. However, he made sure to take it all in.

Drew Brees and his wife Brittany spent time playing with their four children, some football and some gymnastics. He also talked to his old friend and rival Tom Brady. After the two great quarterbacks hugged, Brady even threw a pass to one of the sons of Drew Breesbefore running to the National Conference Championship Game.

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The marical field veterans hugged after the Divisional match.

Drew Brees, who turned 42 on Friday, was hoping to hit his fourth NFC title game and his second Super Bowl this year. Instead, he threw three interceptions in a playoff game for the first time in his career, while Brady and Tampa Bay rallied 20-13 in the third quarter.

“I’m going to give myself the chance to think about the season, think about a lot of things, like I did last year, and make a decision,” he said. Drew Brees when immediately asked if he had just played his last game.

He said his performance on Sunday or the way the season ended would not influence his decision. When asked what would influence the decision, Drew Brees He replied, “I’ll keep it to myself now.”

However, Drew Brees He added that he does not regret coming back this season after nearly retiring from the 2019 season.

“I would never regret it. Never,” he condemned Drew Brees, who missed four games in November and December with a punctured lung and 11 broken ribs, but managed the Saints to finish as the NFC’s No. 2 seed with a 12-4 record for his disappointing finish.

“I have no complaints. I do not regret it. I have always tried to play this sport with a lot of respect and respect for him. And I appreciate everything this game has given me,” he said. Drew Brees, that the Saints to the only Super Bowl win in franchise history in 2009 and holds the NFL record for passing yards. “Obviously, there are a lot of great memories, a lot of incredible relationships that have come about as a result of playing this sport. And, boy, you discover so much about yourself and you have to fight a lot when you practice this sport.

“And I would say I have probably had to fight harder this season than any other season in my career, because of injuries, the whole COVID situation and strange circumstances. And it was without a doubt worth every moment.”

The head coach of the Saints, Sean Payton, indicated that he could not speak Drew Brees and didn’t want to take the time to think about the Hall of Fame career Drew Brees still.

“Look, I think that’s probably for another press conference,” Payton said. “That would take all my time tonight with your question. Obviously it has been fantastic for this team, the city, I could go on like this. But we’ll wait and answer it at the right time. ‘

Other teammates, from veteran linebacker Demario Davis to young wide receiver Tre’Quan Smith, used the same word when asked what Drew Brees it meant to them, “Everything.”

If this was the last game of Drew BreesHe didn’t take the same farewell to his career as other greats in history, like John Elway or Peyton Manning. It was quite the opposite.

Drew Brees he completed 19 of 34 passes for just 134 yards with a touchdown one night when he struggled to get the ball down even more than usual. The biggest air game of the Saints It came when backup quarterback Jameis Winston threw a 56-yard touchdown pass at a flea fagot who New Orleans stolen from the Chicago Bears, who tried against the Saints A week before.

AND Drew Brees Not once was he able to connect with star-wide receiver Michael Thomas in four passes that sent him his way. The first interception of Drew Brees, in the second quarter, then came the Saints they led 6-3 and fell short of sending Thomas. Cornerback Sean Murphy-Bunting jumped ahead and was about to give him back for a score.

Drew Brees threw another interception in the fourth quarter when the Saints They were 23-20 down and linebacker Devin White defeated Alvin Kamara through midfield. His third interception came on a deflected only when the Saints they were down 30-20 with less than five minutes to play.

Tight end Jared Cook also lost a crucial fumble in the third quarter when the Saints they were leading 20-13 and had just passed midfield.

“I would say it is quite unusual because we preach that we play ‘winning football’. And if you throw the ball four times, it’s not ‘winning football’, especially in the playoffs, especially against such a team, ”he said. Drew Brees, who blamed himself for the interceptions.

“Well, I probably shouldn’t have thrown a few and maybe I forced it there. And we were probably a little bit behind in the overall streak. But at the end of the day, this game came down to that turnover.”

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