Saints coach Sean Payton might’ve accidentally let some big news slip this week. Appearing on ESPN’s ‘Get Up,’ Payton said “the unique situation with our team and quarterback Drew Brees, he’s announced he’s coming back for his final season,” via Katherine Terrell of The Athletic. When Brees elected not to retire this offseason, he said he’d be taking things year by year and didn’t make any official proclamations about this being his last campaign.
Either Payton misspoke, or he let the cat out of the bag. We’ve heard for a while now that the Saints eventually want Taysom Hill to take over as the starting quarterback, and that they plan on utilizing Hill even more this coming season. All the moves they’ve made so far point to one last run with Brees, so it would make sense if he has in fact told them this is his final ride. They’ve signed a 32-year-old Malcolm Jenkins and a 33-year-old Emmanuel Sanders, so they’re clearly all-in on 2020.
Here’s more from around the league:
- Speaking of NFC South retirements, Panthers linebacker Luke Kuechly surprisingly decided to hang up his cleats this offseason. Interestingly, Carolina still hasn’t officially placed him on the reserve/retired list, according to Joseph Person of The Athletic. Before fans get excited, that’s likely because the Panthers can add $6MM in cap space by waiting until after June 1st to make the move, Person notes. Additionally, a source close to the former Defensive Player of the Year told Person that he has had “no second thoughts” about his decision to retire. We’ve heard the former All-Pro could be eyeing a coaching/consulting gig, and Person writes he has also explored broadcasting opportunities. Kuechly is still only 28, so there’s plenty of time for him to change his mind about his playing career.
- Texans coach Bill O’Brien caught a lot of flak for his trade of Deandre Hopkins and what he was able to get back in return, and he sought to explain himself a bit Friday. “It was in the best interest of our team. DeAndre Hopkins was a great football player. We loved DeAndre Hopkins He had three years left on his deal and he wanted a raise. David Johnson is going to be a great addition to our football team,” O’Brien said, via Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle (Twitter link). O’Brien seemed to confirm that Hopkins’ desire to sweeten his deal was a driving force behind the shocking trade. It’ll be very interesting to see how O’Brien handles the locker room and growing backlash from the fanbase.
Assume worst case scenario and there is no football in 2020….wonder if plays in 21?
Don’t you EVER say that again Sooner.
He’s not a sooner. No sooner could even fathom such a thing.
Hook em
02 alum….choke yourself
If theres an easy explanation for why the Panthers havent put Kuechly on the retired list, why is it “interesting?”
Feel sorry for Luke. He must be a big Panthers fan and though they were good enough a few years back but just couldn’t do it. Now they have gone into full rebuild and he retired. Guess he didn’t want to be apart of a rebuild and didn’t like the direction they were going to take with Cam and all the other older vets.
Fair enough just wish the dude kept playing he is a beast and could walk into any teams defence
Simmons>Russ Have a feeling health played a role in it too, not just a potential rebuild coming. He’s already had 3 concussions in his career. Wouldn’t be surprised if he realized it’s best for him long term to walk away now but I’m sure the state of the team made it easier to decide.
BOB could have gotten much more for Hopkins. Great players are traded some times for various reasons, but BOB got fleeced bc one of the best WRs wanted a raise? Ok? You could have given him a raise, guaranteed him more money for more years. Many different avenues to take rather than giving him away for virtually nothing and getting back a RB who’s coming off a bad year on a big contract.
Relative to the rest of the league’s wide receivers, he definitely seems underpaid, especially over the next three seasons.
Luke: in my IDP league…you were the man. 10 tackles…10 points…every week. You will be missed. Saints….Bucs…Chiefs…get a ring before you get your jacket. Life is a one-time opportunity!
I hope drew plays another few years after this one. hes too good to stop