Buccaneers: Drew Brees rumors could add to the fun in Tampa in 2021
By Rob Leeds
Have the Buccaneers seen the last of Drew Brees?
To be fair, Drew Brees is one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time. Tom Brady has that title of GOAT locked up securely, but Brees is still one of the best ever, even if he doesn’t come close to the current quarterback for the Buccaneers.
After 20 seasons in the NFL, Brees appeared to indicate that he would retire after the playoff loss to the Bucs back in January, but that prospect has potentially changed.
Brees has every reason to leave and almost no reason to stay, but this isn’t a choice based on logic. The choice is based on love for the game. Throughout his career, Brees has shown a passion for the sport at the highest level, and players like him have a difficult time hanging the cleats up.
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Speculation indicated that Brees would announce the end of his career sometime soon, but Twitter tells a different story. While no verified sources have confirmed anything, hence the ‘rumors’ distinction, Brees may not be as set on retiring as the fans would believe.
The current Brees hashtag on Twitter is filled mostly with fans that are lamenting the fact that Brees may return and those who defend the greatest quarterback in franchise history. Bucs fans are familiar with this in the opposite direction.
Brees should absolutely not return. Subpar performances and injuries marred his past season, and no quarterback wants to go out like that. Much like how the last bite can define a dinner, no one wants to see one of the best quarterbacks ever flounder for three or four years before retiring.
The Buccaneers can handle Brees if he returns
The Buccaneers dominated Brees by simply sitting underneath receivers in their playoff win, and this version of Drew Brees is clearly not the one that has experienced so much success against Tampa Bay during his career.
The legacy standpoint may indicate that he should retire, but the Buccaneers are assuredly crossing their fingers that one of their biggest arch-rivals returns. Taysom Hill and Jameis Winston both bring more to the table than Brees does at this point of his career, and staying would only complicate the cap space more.
If Brees remains, can the Saints justify paying Taysom Hill ten times what Brees is slated to make in 2021? Why would Jameis Winston stay? The Saints have proven that they aren’t legitimate Super Bowl contenders with Brees, and another year flaming out in the playoffs with Brees would only worsen the team’s future outlook.
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As Bucs fans, all we can do is hope that the dysfunction in New Orleans continues because our outlook in the division already looks great, but it gets even better if Drew Brees remains.
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