Brees says mulling retirement after play-off loss
NEW ORLEANS: Saints quarterback Drew Brees insisted on Sunday he’s still deciding if he has played his last NFL season after a painful play-off loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Reports have swirled for a week that the future Hall of Famer would call it a career when the Saints’ season ended, even if that came without a Super Bowl shot.
“I’m going to give myself an opportunity to think about the season, think about a lot of things, just like I did last year, and make a decision,” Brees told reporters after the Saints fell 30-20 to a Tampa Bay Buccaneers team led by quarterback Tom Brady at the Superdome in New Orleans.
Although he wasn’t able to take the Saints to the Super Bowl, Brees — who piloted New Orleans to the NFL crown after the 2009 season — said he had no regrets about returning in 2020.
“I would never regret it, never,” said Brees who turned 42 on Friday. “No complaints, no regrets. I’ve always tried to play this game with great respect and great reverence for it. I appreciate all this game has given to me.”
He said the outcome of Sunday’s game, which included four turnovers by the Saints offence that he acknowledged were the “determining factor” in the contest, wouldn’t be a factor in his decision on retirement.
The 2020 season was Brees’s 20th NFL campaign and his 15th with the Saints.
CHARGERS HIRE STALEY
The Los Angeles Chargers agreed to terms with Brandon Staley to be their next head coach, the NFL club said Sunday.
The 38-year-old Staley becomes the 17th head coach in franchise history, replacing Anthony Lynn, who was fired in early January after posting a 33-31 record in four seasons.
Staley spent last season as the defensive coordinator of the Los Angeles Rams, who share SoFi Stadium with the Chargers.
“It’s hard to put into words just how excited I am for the opportunity to be the Los Angeles Chargers’ head coach,” Staley said.
“While this is certainly a dream come true, it’s also a dream that’s just beginning.”