'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Could NFL fans have seen the last of New Orleans Saints QB Drew Brees? The 42-year-old reportedly is going to retire after this season.
Although there has been plenty of speculation about Brees retiring, the veteran QB told reporters after the game that he will "take some time" to think about the future and what he wants to do.
Also Read: Drew Brees’ net worth, salary, endorsements and more
Either way, Saints fans will be monitoring this situation closely, as the team has a lot to think about on top of the chance of Brees retiring. This was the fourth straight season where despite having a good record and defeating tough opponents in the regular season, the Saints simply could not make a complete Superbowl push.
With all that being said, here are:
5 QBs (in no specific order) that could replace Drew Brees
#5 Jameis Winston
The most obvious replacement for the Saints would be Jameis Winston, who primarily served as the backups for Brees in the 2020 season. Winston was brought in on a one-year deal after the Tampa Bay Buccaneers decided not to keep him since signing Tom Brady. Winston did not see much action as the backup, but he threw an absolute dime on Sunday against the Bucs.
Winston saw action in just five games, as QB (or tight end) Taysom Hill filled in at QB when Brees was absent due to his lung injury. As of right now, it's unclear what the Saints want to do with Winston, but bringing him back would not harm the team. Considering how he sat behind Brees and watched how a future hall-of-fame QB played should have helped him improve his game.
#4 Taysom Hill
The second obvious replacement, or it could be the other way around for Saints fans. Either way, this team has thrived with Hill on the team outside of the QB position. Hill has been implemented many times as a receiver, tight end, but this season he showed off his true skills as a QB.
Hill had his first career start in Week 11 of the 2020 season when Brees went down for several weeks. He would go on to start the next three games. In those four starts, Hill played well statistically. He completed 82 of 114 passes for 834 yards, four passing TDs, and two interceptions. Hill also had 209 rushing yards and four touchdowns to add to all that.
Taysom is still under contract with the Saints until 2022, as he signed a two-year contract extension in April of 2020. The Saints will certainly give Hill a serious look if Brees were to not return.
#3 Matthew Stafford
Let's be honest, the situation in Detroit is unclear and Stafford has wasted most of his career there despite not having much. The Lions need a complete overhaul and that starts by trading their veteran QB away.
Stafford still has plenty of years left in him to compete, despite the few injuries he has had in the last one or two seasons. As of right now, there are no rumors of the Lions shopping Stafford, but teams could certainly inquire about his availability.
Considering the Saints' offense has a decent number of weapons in Michael Thomas, Alvin Kamara, and Emmanuel Sanders, Stafford would have plenty of help in New Orleans if traded here.
#2 Mitchell Trubisky
Trubisky's time in Chicago is likely done, as reported the week of their game against the Saints in the Wild Card playoffs. For now, there have been no formal talks between the Bears and Trubisky of a possible return, so we can assume that Trubisky will test the waters.
Against the Saints, Trubisky played well, completing 19 of 29 passes for 199 yards and a touchdown. Considering the "top tier" defense he was facing, it was a good look for the QB who has had his ups and downs with the Bears.
Bringing Trubisky in on a two-year contract would be a good deal for both the Saints and Trubisky, as it would give him a fresh start and the Saints could sit him behind a QB like Hill who has spent a majority of his time behind Brees. Trubisky could just be the young QB the Saints need, considering their draft position is not the best.
#1 Deshaun Watson
This might be a stretch, but considering almost every QB-needy team has been linked to Deshaun Watson. After the debacle between him and the organization that did not involve him in the hiring process of the Texans' new GM, it is believed that Watson will no longer play for the Texans.
In come the Saints, who have plenty to offer GM Nick Caserio if he is told by Watson to trade him. Michael Thomas has already been rumored to possibly be traded in the offseason, but it will take more than just a receiver to give up a Pro Bowl QB like Watson.
Without a doubt, Watson would flourish under HC Sean Payton and his system. At most, Watson would have more help than he has had as a Texan and could be the biggest threat in the NFC South once Tom Brady leaves the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
