Drew Brees Explains Why a Philip Rivers-Style Comeback Won’t Happen

Former Chargers and Saints quarterback, Drew Brees can't make a Philip Rivers style comeback because of a right shoulder injury.

Drew Brees Explains Why a Philip Rivers-Style Comeback Won’t Happen

Philip Rivers and Drew Brees inside the circle (Image via IMAGO/X)

Drew Brees spent the better part of two decades terrorizing NFL defenses as the Los Angeles Chargers and New Orleans Saints quarterback. In 15 games, Brees posted an incredible 172-114 record in the regular season and a 9-9 postseason record.

Brees won a Super Bowl with the Saints in 2008-09 and took home the Super Bowl MVP award. Aside from that, he won a couple of Offensive Player of the Year awards, five All-Pro and seven Pro Bowl honors, four times NFL passing touchdowns leader, two-time passer ratings leader, and six times pass completion leader.  

Brees retired from football after the 2020 season. Five years removed, Brees works as a game analyst for FOX Sports. However, will he consider coming out of retirement if an NFL team gives an offer similar to that of his former Chargers teammate Philip Rivers?

Rivers quit football in 2021 after spending his final year with the Indianapolis Colts. However, the eight-time Pro Bowl signal caller shocked the football world by suiting up for his former team in 2025.

The Colts found themselves in trouble after Daniel Jones suffered a season-ending ACL injury, and Anthony Richardson was still in rehab due to an eye condition. Head coach Shane Steichen dialed Rivers, and he answered the call without much hesitation. Rivers went 0-3, completed 63% of his passes, threw 4 touchdowns and 3 interceptions.

The Bussin’ With The Boys host and former NFL player, Taylor Lewan, asked Brees if he would ever make a Rivers-style comeback.

I would know where to throw it. I just don’t know if I could get it there.

Brees told Lewan
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Drew Brees explains why he can’t make an NFL comeback

Brees delivered back-to-back winning seasons for the Chargers in 2004 and 2005. Despite that, he had gradually become an inaccurate passer, throwing 15 interceptions in the 2005-06 season.

Drew Brees Explains Why a Philip Rivers-Style Comeback Won’t Happen
Drew Brees (Image via IMAGO)

It was revealed that Brees had suffered a 360-degree tear of the labrum in his right shoulder. After parting ways with the Chargers, Brees signed with the Saints. Brees once said that the injury was so severe that he considered taking out insurance in case he couldn’t throw anymore.

He went on to play for fifteen years in Louisiana. Unlike his peer, Tom Brady, who believes he can still play in the league, Brees physically can’t do it anymore.

I don’t throw with my right arm anymore. I actually throw left-handed. I started doing that toward the end of my career with my kids, because I’d come home after a long day of practice, I didn’t have anything left in my right arm, but the boys wanted to play catch, so I’d throw left-handed. I’m pretty mean inside 30 with this left arm.

Brees said

Drew Brees reaches a big milestone

Before making history with the Saints in the NFL, Brees played four seasons of college football for the University of Purdue Boilermakers. The university recently awarded Brees with an honorary doctorate. Brees earned a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Management from Purdue University in 2001.

Brees is also a Pro Football Hall of Famer. He was inducted into the HOF in 2026.

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