Carr’s unexpected decision to retire from professional football sparked debate over who should succeed him under center. Alongside the former Louisville standout, another strong candidate emerging is Spencer Rattler — though head coach Moore has yet to give any indication of who will start in Week 1.

When asked by the media about his opinion on Shough, Brees was clear in stating that, although he doesn’t know the player’s full story, he believes the QB has the potential to take charge of the first team moving forward.

“I’ve seen what the fans have seen,” Brees told reporters at the opening of a new Surge Entertainment center in Metairie, La. “I haven’t really dove deep to take a look at his college film. I think what’s impressive to me is, the kid has faced a lot of adversity and he’s overcome it every step of the way.

“Obviously spent a lot of time in college. Three years at Oregon, three years at Tech and one year at Louisville. I love [Louisville coach] Jeff Brohm. Jeff Brohm was Purdue’s head coach for a long time. Developed Aidan O’Connell and a few others. So he’s kind of known as one of those guys who can develop QBs. And obviously, Tyler Shough really thrived in that offense with him last year.”

Confidence in Moore’s leadership

These are times of transition for the franchise, and the head coach position is no exception. As one of the team’s all-time legends, Drew Brees made something clear about Kellen Moore ahead of the 2025 NFL season.

“I’ve heard nothing but great things about Kellen,” the former Super Bowl champion QB said about the new head coach, per the Saints.

“I really respected Kellen more when he was a player at Boise State. They were always going in as underdogs and beating teams they had no business being on the field with. He was just one of these methodical guys who had moxie and leadership skills,” he also said. “And he carried all those traits into being a coach.”

After a string of turbulent seasons in which the Saints struggled to find their footing in the NFC South, the front office has placed its bet on the talent of former Eagles offensive coordinator Kellen Moore. He now steps into his first opportunity as a head coach in the NFL.

In a recent conversation with the media, the New Orleans legend expressed his excitement about what the new head coach can bring to the team, emphasizing the deep respect he has held for Moore since his college football days.

“I’ve heard nothing but great things about Kellen,” Drew Brees said about the new head coach, per the Saints.

“I really respected Kellen more when he was a player at Boise State. They were always going in as underdogs and beating teams they had no business being on the field with. He was just one of these methodical guys who had moxie and leadership skills,” he also added. “And he carried all those traits into being a coach.”

Who’s next Under Center for the Saints?

With Derek Carr officially retired, the Saints face a crucial decision at quarterback heading into 2025. Kellen Moore, in his first season as head coach, must choose who will lead the offense as they open against the Cardinals at the Caesars Superdome.

Spencer Rattler is a strong candidate. The former South Carolina QB brings mobility and arm talent, along with some experience in pro-style systems. He could have a slight edge heading into training camp.

Rookie Tyler Shough is also in the mix. Drafted this year out of Louisville, he offers size, pocket presence, and upside. If he adapts quickly, Moore may bet on his long-term potential from day one.

Throughout his distinguished career, Armstead played for both the New Orleans Saints and the Dolphins. While he never captured a Super Bowl title, his five Pro Bowl selections and consistent on-field performances left a lasting impact. Known for his formidable presence on the line, Armstead was a force to be reckoned with, facing some of the league’s top talent.

Among the legendary names he squared off against was none other than Tom Brady. However, when it comes to the GOAT discussion, Armstead has made it clear where his allegiance lies. In a candid moment, he made sure the conversation excluded Brady, focusing instead on a former teammate from his time with the Saints.

In 2019, Armstead was asked about quarterback Drew Brees, and his response left no room for doubt. “Brees is the GOAT of all GOATs, that’s a fact. For me, it’s not a discussion. I’ll say it every time, he is the GOAT,” Armstead said after the Saints’ playoff win over the Philadelphia Eagles.

Brees’ impact on the NFL

Undoubtedly, Drew Brees is regarded as one of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history. While he only won one Super Bowl, his career was filled with individual accolades, including 13 Pro Bowl selections. Many consider Brees to be one of the all-time greats.

Brees was named the Super Bowl XLIV MVP and earned several prestigious awards throughout his career, such as the 2004 AP Comeback Player of the Year, the 2011 Alan Page Community Award, the 2009 Bert Bell Award, and the 2006 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award. These honors reflect his exceptional talent and leadership, which played a crucial role in leading the New Orleans Saints to the championship in 2009.

Over the course of his career, Brees posted remarkable statistics: a 67.7% completion rate, 80,358 passing yards, 571 touchdowns, and 243 interceptions. With these numbers, Brees not only cemented his legacy with the Saints but also earned respect among fans of other franchises, including the San Francisco 49ers.

Armstead’s career numbers

To fully appreciate what Terron Armstead brought to both the Saints and Dolphins, it’s important to examine his career stats. As a standout member of the defensive line, Armstead was a force to be reckoned with. His dedication to his position made him one of the best in his field.

Here are Terron Armstead’s career stats in the NFL:

• Years: 2013-2024
• Teams: New Orleans Saints (2013-2021), Miami Dolphins (2022-2024)
• Games Played: 135
• Games Started: 131
• Pro Bowls: 5 (2018-2020, 2022, 2023)
• Second-team All-Pro: 1 (2018)

Key stats from his career:

• He was consistently graded as one of the top offensive tackles in the league. In 2024, PFF rated him as the fourth-highest offensive tackle with an 89.4 offensive grade.
• His pass-blocking grade in 2024 was 84.8 (8th in the NFL among offensive tackles).
• His run-blocking grade in 2024 was 83.4 (6th in the NFL among offensive tackles).

Staying in the NFL for over a decade is no easy task. Brees played as long as he could, won a Super Bowl, and walked away a couple of years later. His former teammate, however, never earned a ring of his own and has now stepped away from football after 12 seasons without a Super Bowl title on his résumé.

That player is Terron Armstead, who just announced his retirement from the NFL. He spent his final seasons protecting Tua Tagovailoa in Miami, where he gave everything he had. At 33 years old, Armstead remained in strong physical shape, playing one of the league’s most demanding positions at left tackle.

Armstead played for just two teams during his career—beginning with the New Orleans Saints, where he spent nine seasons from 2013 to 2021, and then finishing with the Dolphins from 2022 to 2024. He was a cornerstone of Miami’s offensive line and started 15 games last season, marking just the second time in his career he had that many starts.

The powerful legacy of a former Brees teammate

During his time with Drew Brees, Armstead was one of the most reliable players on the field. His standout season came in 2019, logging 935 snaps—his career high. In 2015, he posted his best snap percentage, playing 98% of the offensive snaps that year.

Over the course of his career, Armstead totaled 7,734 offensive snaps. He earned Pro Bowl honors five times—three with the Saints and twice with the Dolphins. Despite the physical toll of the position, he still played in at least 10 games each year during his final three seasons.

In recent comments to RG, one of the greatest players in Saints history shared his thoughts on the unique talent of the former Louisville player, making a clear emphasis on what sets him apart from the rest.

“Lamar Jackson is a guy who has such a unique skill set,” Brees stated. “Because there is no other quarterback that can run like him. You could truly design an offense and a game plan behind his ability to run or his ability to affect how the defense plays the run, just because of the threat that he poses.”

Undoubtedly, receiving such praise from a future Hall of Famer is no small feat, and it reflects the respect Lamar has earned since his arrival in the NFL. Despite not yet having lifted a Vince Lombardi Trophy, the two-time league MVP continues to prove why he is one of the best at his position today.

Lamar wasn’t able to secure his 3rd MVP

While John Harbaugh’s Baltimore Ravens had an exceptional season, their goal of reaching at least the Super Bowl was cut short in the playoffs. A tough Buffalo Bills team quickly ended Jackson and his squad’s hopes of making it to the final showdown.

Once again, Lamar Jackson had an outstanding performance throughout the season, earning him a spot as one of the serious contenders for the MVP, which would have been his third of his career.

Unfortunately for him, the award ultimately went to none other than Josh Allen, his rival with the Bills. While the results didn’t go Lamar’s way, both personally and as a team, he’s looking for redemption moving forward.

Drew Brees is undoubtedly one of the best players at his position in recent times, and he is definitely an authority to comment on the current situation of his peers. Mahomes may be having his best moment, and this is why the former New Orleans Saints player made it clear what makes him so special for his team.

In a recent interview with Clutchpoints.com, Brees showered praise on the Chiefs’ player, stating that he has practically everything needed to achieve a historic feat, such as becoming three-time champions in the NFL.

“He is extremely smart, he is very capable. He can make every throw. He’s got ultimate confidence,” Brees said. “He’s wise though, he takes care of the ball. He knows situations, he knows how to play the game. He knows how to manipulate the game.”

“He’s very decisive, he knows where he wants to go with the ball and knows how to get it there,” Brees continued. “He’s extremely clutch. When you need a play, he’s going to make it. All those qualities end up winning you a lot of football games.”

Mahomes clarifies his status regarding the injury

In Week 15 of the season, Patrick Mahomes raised all alarms after leaving the game against the Cleveland Browns due to a high-ankle sprain. Incredibly, the quarterback managed to recover in record time and was available for the victory against the Texans.

Regarding his current health status, the Chiefs QB told the media that he feels more comfortable with his injury and is slowly recovering to be in the best shape for the final stretch of the season.

“I think I’ll be in a better place ankle-wise,” Mahomes said. “I mean, obviously the body’s going to be sore with the short week and everything like that, but I think the ankle should be in a better place. Obviously, we’ll see at practice today. As far as how I felt after this game compared to the one before, I’m definitely in a lot better place.”

The current situation of Chris Jones

Unfortunately for Andy Reid and his staff, injuries have been a constant this season. Despite this, the team managed to bounce back and move forward with ease. During the last game against the Texans, DT Chris Jones injured his calf, making him doubtful for what’s ahead.

That’s how NFL insider Adam Schefter reported it, through his X (formerly Twitter) account @AdamSchefter: “Chiefs DT Chris Jones is unlikely to play today vs. Pittsburgh due to his calf injury, per league sources. Jones hurt his calf Saturday vs. the Texans, and a short week leading up to the Christmas Day game makes it challenging heading into pre-game warmups.”

It is well known that coaches look for references and examples in players who have shaped their past, either as a player or as a tactical leader of other franchises. In Campbell‘s case, he found an NFL legend who, from his perspective, has so many similarities to Goff that he dared to compare them in a lengthy statement.

“I was fortunate to be around Drew Brees for six years as a player and a coach. There are things about Goff that remind me of him. You see the professionalism, the work ethic, the process, the competitiveness. He has the attitude of a worker, he’s a worker in that sense, he has a quiet confidence, he’s not frazzled, he’s tough, he sees everything. That’s why we’ve put a lot of emphasis on him,” Campbell said in praise of the Lions quarterback on The Rich Eisen Show.

In the final year of his playing career, Dan Campbell was a teammate of Drew Brees in the New Orleans Saints. In addition, the current Lions head coach spent five seasons on the Saints’ coaching staff when Brees was there. Now Campbell coaches Goff for the Lions and sees a reflection of the NFL legend in Goff.

The stint of Drew Brees as a legend of the New Orleans Saints

Brees played for the Saints during 15 seasons, having shared team with Dan Campbell in six years. The quarterback led the New Orleans franchise during the 2009 season to its only Super Bowl, which it won with a 31-17 victory over the Indianapolis Colts and was named Most Valuable Player of that game. Brees was elected 13 times to the Pro Bowl, has a first-team All-Pro selection and won the Comeback Player of the Year award in 2004, in addition to being the NFL’s leading passer on seven occasions.

Jared Goff’s performance in the 2024 NFL season

Goff is playing a key role in the Lions’ campaign in the current NFL season. In six games, he has completed 128 of 174 passes for 1,610 yards and 10 touchdowns. In four of his appearances he caught 18 passes, but last week he had one of his best performances with 22 completions and 2 touchdowns.

Following Brady‘s recent move to become a league commentator in the FOX broadcast booth, Brees doesn’t want to be left behind and is also vying to have his voice in sports analysis.

“I think I could be the absolute best at it, if given the opportunity,” the New Orleans Saints legend Brees said in an interview with Front Office Sports Today. “That’s what I feel most passionate about. And certainly, that’s where my knowledge base lies, right?” declared the 2010 Super Bowl champion.

Brees already has experience in media, having joined NBC in 2020, where he worked as a commentator on college football games and participated in the network’s Sunday night studio show. However, the former San Diego Chargers lasted just one season and was not rehired.

“I really didn’t have the chance to call NFL games,” Brees insisted. Tom Brady already has an advantage in this race, as the seven-time Super Bowl champion will make his debut as a 2024 NFL commentator for the intriguing matchup between the Cleveland Browns and the Dallas Cowboys in Ohio.

Brees’ Opinion on Tom Brady as a Commentator

The former Saints expressed admiration for Tom Brady’s decision to take a break from media before joining the broadcasting world. “He did the right thing, taking a year off to relax, reflect a bit, and also prepare,” Brees said.

“I think there will be many golden nuggets in each of his broadcasts,” added about his colleague. While Brees is eager to carve out his own space in the media landscape, he acknowledges that it’s not all about competition.

Brady becomes the highest-paid NFL analyst of all time. Additionally, former Patriots has previously confessed that he used FOX’s studios to practice his meticulous commentary by watching old games, including many of his own from his playing days. Aside from his debut, he has already broadcasted preseason games over the summer, receiving positive feedback.

What time is Tom Brady’s NFL broadcast debut?

Tom Brady will make his NFL broadcast debut as a commentator for the game between the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns in Week 1. The match will kick off at 4:25 p.m. Eastern Time.

The 2024 NCAA season will be a defining year in Steve Sarkisian’s system for Arch. He will be in consideration to start for the first time since joining the Longhorns in 2023 and so his journey to the NFL truly commences. The 5-star recruit has made the headlines ever since his high school years at his family’s alma mater, Isidore Newman School.

Super Bowl XLIV winner and 13-time Pro Bowler Drew Brees has shared his thoughts on Arch’s upcoming year and future at the college level. Along those lines, Brees offered some shocking advice to the Texas Longhorns’ quarterback. Even stating Manning could learn from Mahomes and Rodgers teachings in the NFL.

“You either start [in college] or sit for a few years in the NFL,” Brees said, via The Athletic. “Like a Patrick Mahomes even sits behind Alex Smith. Aaron Rodgers sat for three years behind (Brett) Favre, right?”

Brees recommends Manning gets 50 quality starts prior to NFL debut

Despite Mahomes and Rodgers, those are just a handful of exhibits that have proven worthy. And so, Brees suggests Peyton and Eli’s nephew should play ’50 quality starts’ before starting on an NFL game. On 12-games college season, and amid matchups against unranked opponents, Manning should stay for half a decade with the Longhorns.

“The best thing for Arch Manning is to spend five years at the University of Texas,” Brees admitted. “Become an incredible leader for that team and make a run at some national championships. Then, he will be the most prepared going into the NFL at that point.“

Manning hasn’t started his first college game yet. So, although well noted and reliable, Brees’ guidance is looking way ahead into Arch’s career. And at the minute his main concern should be set on the task at hand, that is his team’s debut on Saturday August 31th versus Colorado State. Whether he starts or Quinn Ewers takes his place remains unknown.

Brees comments on Texas football program under Steve Sarkisian

The former NFL superstar expressed his respect for the Longhorns’ project and admits Manning is in prime position to develop and enter the NFL as a leader, as well as a great player. The Purdue University product did not shy away from handing the University of Texas their deserved flowers on tutoring the exciting quarterback prospect.

“For him to just be in a system, be in a program, learn from one of the best QB developers in Steve Sarkisian and the rest of the staff that they’ve put together,” Drew Brees stated. “That’d be the best thing for him is just stay there, lock in, learn, grow, [and] develop.“

Things have not been perfect for the Broncos lately. In 2022, they acquired Russell Wilson in a blockbuster trade with the Seahawks. However, he has been unable to prove his worth to the franchise.

For that reason, they opted to bring Sean Payton on board last year. However, their first season together fell short of expectations, leaving the front office desperate to make this partnership succeed.

Sean Payton brings back a former staff member to aid Russell Wilson’s improvement

It seems like the Broncos still have confidence on Russell Wilson’s success. The quarterback has been unable to prove his worth in Denver, and time is running out for him quickly.

At the conclusion of the 2023 season, there were rumors circulating about the Broncos considering parting ways with Wilson. However, recent reports indicate they are inclined to give him another chance this year.

With this in mind, Sean Payton is making every effort to facilitate Wilson’s improvement. The head coach is reshuffling his coaching staff and has recently enlisted a former Saints member for this specific task.

According to The Times-Picayune, Pete Carmichael Jr. is set to join the Broncos for the 2024 season. Notably, he served as the offensive coordinator for Payton during the Saints’ Super Bowl XLIV victory with Drew Brees as their quarterback.

Carmichael’s arrival is not anticipated to be for the OC role. With Joe Lombardi currently leading the offense, there are speculations that Carmichael will assume the role of assistant coach under Payton.

Will the Broncos part ways with Russell Wilson?

The Broncos have a huge problem to solve this offseason. Russell Wilson has been unable to succed with the AFC West team, and rumors suggest that he could be playing for another team next season.

However, Payton’s decision to bring in Carmichael sparks uncertainty. Carmichael previously crafted an exceptional offense with an elite quarterback like Drew Brees, suggesting that his arrival could potentially yield similar success with Russell Wilson.

For many football fans, Drew Brees is regarded as one of the most talented quarterbacks the league has seen in this century. Selected with the 32nd overall pick in the 2001 Draft, he certainly exceeded everyone’s expectations.

Brees spent his first five seasons with the former San Diego Chargers. In 2006, he moved to New Orleans to join the Saints, significantly transforming the NFC South franchise by guiding them to victory in Super Bowl XLIV.

Drew Brees shares the reason why he won’t return to the NFL

At 44 years old, Drew Brees is still seen by some football fans as a capable player who could join any NFL squad. However, the quarterback holds a completely different perspective.

When questioned about a potential return to the NFL, Brees revealed the sad reason why he won’t even consider it. The former quarterback is aware that his right arm is not in perfect condition, making it impossible for him to throw the football.

“I’ll let you in on a little fact: I don’t throw with my right arm anymore. My right arm does not work,“ Brees said to ESPN. “So, when I throw in the backyard right now, I throw left-handed. I can play pickleball just because it’s below the waist. But anything above my shoulders, I’ve got a hard time with.

“It’s definitely a result of the injury that I suffered when I left San Diego. The dislocated right shoulder and all that stuff that I thought I may never play again. So that kind of put me on the fast track to a degenerative shoulder, and all kinds of arthritic changes and stuff like that. But I don’t throw with my right arm anymore. If I could, I would absolutely still be playing.”

Brees refers to the injury he sustained in 2005 while playing for the Chargers, a dislocated right shoulder and torn labrum. Despite his recovery and playing 15 more seasons, the lasting consequences of this injury are now preventing his return.

Last year, the 13-time Pro Bowler mentioned that he was contemplating a potential return to the NFL. He said, ‘If my arm wasn’t held together with 13 anchors, I’d play until I was 45,’ an age he reaches this January.

What is Drew Brees’ all-time record?

Drew Brees holds two NFL records: most career passing yards and highest completion percentage. His precision and resilience redefined football greatness, inspiring quarterbacks and shaping football history.

In his career, Brees won 172 games and lost 114. His most successful years were with New Orleans, while in San Diego he boasted a 30-28 record.